Charles Stross' Diary (RSS Feed)
06-22-2007, 05:35 PM
Gonzo technology, past (http://thrillingwonder.blogspot.com/2007/01/jet-powered-other-futuristic-trains.html) and present (http://www.kawada.co.jp/global/ams/hrp_2.html) illustrates that some, if not all, of our ideas about the future are possible — at least at the prototype stage.
The M-497 jet-powered commuter train of 1966 hit 183 miles per hour in trials, a perfectly credible 300 kilometres per hour, and while it didn't go anywhere in service — quite simply, the North American railway network isn't up to scratch (and the noise abatement issues would have been somewhat problematic) — other nations routinely run steel wheel trains at that kind of speed (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/500_Series_Shinkansen) (and I am so going on a Series 500 Shinkansen if I get the chance, this September!).
http://bp3.blogger.com/_7gYNb3GSh4M/Rnc6Z_dfbgI/AAAAAAAABK4/J_NijxT6lNA/s400/354623525_c92477eee3.jpg
Meanwhile, the Kawada Industries' HRP-2 Promet Mk II humanoid robot weighs 58 kilograms, stands about 1.5 metres tall, can walk on slippery and uneven surfaces, use a screwdriver, and they're planning (software permitting!) to put them into production in 2010 as the HRP-3, a construction site labourer — the cost per unit translates to about US $120,000/£60,000. I think this might be just a little optimistic (and the idea of these things running around a building site on NiMH batteries gives me some cause for concern, too) but there is going to be a huge market for humanoid robots in Japan if they can crack the power management and control software problems. Most amusing of all, the HRP-2 was styled by Yutaka Izubuchi, designer of PATLABOR (among other classic animé about honking great humanoid industrial robots). Which shows that someone is working hard at making science fictional clichés come true, rather than just assuming that the invisible hand of market forces will wave a magic wand if we wait long enough.
http://www.kawada.co.jp/global/ams/images/hrp2_ph02.jpg
(Original Post) (http://www.antipope.org/charlie/blog-static/2007/06/future_imperfect.html)
The M-497 jet-powered commuter train of 1966 hit 183 miles per hour in trials, a perfectly credible 300 kilometres per hour, and while it didn't go anywhere in service — quite simply, the North American railway network isn't up to scratch (and the noise abatement issues would have been somewhat problematic) — other nations routinely run steel wheel trains at that kind of speed (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/500_Series_Shinkansen) (and I am so going on a Series 500 Shinkansen if I get the chance, this September!).
http://bp3.blogger.com/_7gYNb3GSh4M/Rnc6Z_dfbgI/AAAAAAAABK4/J_NijxT6lNA/s400/354623525_c92477eee3.jpg
Meanwhile, the Kawada Industries' HRP-2 Promet Mk II humanoid robot weighs 58 kilograms, stands about 1.5 metres tall, can walk on slippery and uneven surfaces, use a screwdriver, and they're planning (software permitting!) to put them into production in 2010 as the HRP-3, a construction site labourer — the cost per unit translates to about US $120,000/£60,000. I think this might be just a little optimistic (and the idea of these things running around a building site on NiMH batteries gives me some cause for concern, too) but there is going to be a huge market for humanoid robots in Japan if they can crack the power management and control software problems. Most amusing of all, the HRP-2 was styled by Yutaka Izubuchi, designer of PATLABOR (among other classic animé about honking great humanoid industrial robots). Which shows that someone is working hard at making science fictional clichés come true, rather than just assuming that the invisible hand of market forces will wave a magic wand if we wait long enough.
http://www.kawada.co.jp/global/ams/images/hrp2_ph02.jpg
(Original Post) (http://www.antipope.org/charlie/blog-static/2007/06/future_imperfect.html)