
Content Includes:
- AI rewriting the history of malware
- Peering into the black box
- Farming without humans
- Robots in water
- Smart building robots
- Human Enhancement
- Sexual future with robots
- Humanistic AI
- Do Robots need a self?
- Drone Delivery
- Music by machines
- The psychology of traveling to Mars
In this issue…

AI rewriting the history of malware
Bryan Lares talks about the growth of malware and antivirus software and the role of AI in the evolution of malware detection.

Matthew Dahlitz looks at the latest AI music production outfits—from robots playing marimbas to dedicated software for composers to make their composing and orchestrating easier. It’s a fascinating world of robots making music.

What’s in store for us as we think about using technology to enhance our bodies and brains? Filip Saric considers the future of human enhancement. We also look at a new and fast cancer detection probe, and a paper diagnostic tool that’s biodegradable.

Fastbrick Robotics has a machine that can lay 1,000 bricks an hour – putting brick layers behind the wheel of a massive vehicle rather than out in the sun handling clay bricks. We also look at automated earthmoving, robotic painters and better designed articulated arms for heavy machinery.

Psychological Impact of a Journey to Mars
Todd Hatcher flys us away to Mars and explains some of the potential psychological difficulties of such a long trip to a destination where crowds are not a problem at all.

Robot Academy with Peter Corke
We start or School of Robotics section this month by talking to Robot Academy founder Prof. Peter Corke. Peter tells us a bit about his journey toward being professor of robotics at QUT. He has an awesome, and free, online academy that we would like to introduce you to.

We make a few comments about the bleak dystopian future of Blade Runner 2049 and some of the technology in the movie.

Dr. David Van Nuys makes some comments about humanistic AI and Dr. Georg Northoff asks if robots need a sense of self (and a bit more about our own sense of self).

Sex with robots
The Federation for Responsible Robotics makes some comments about sex with robots based on their 2017 consultation document “Our Sexual Future with Robots”.

Drone Delivery
Chris Ebbert writes about commercial drone delivery, some of the pitfalls and some of the advantages.

Dr. Mark Griffiths is an expert in the area of addiction and gaming. He takes a look at competitive gaming and the nature of addiction in this rather new career path opening up for the talented gamer.

Farming without a human stepping onto the field. It was done by a group of scientists who harvested a crop of barley without anyone actually stepping onto, or riding over, the field. From sowing to reaping, it was all done by automated machines.