The Robotic Musicians known as: Intel's Industrial Control in Concert

A whimsical collaboration of several devices powered Intel® Atom™ processors revealing how Intel® Architecture can be used for real-time capability as it applies in the industrial environment.

• Category

  Science & Technology

[TheTapeClub]

Your under both the mistaken impression that this machine cost billions, and that being "smart" means your educated in every topic you view as complex. Knowledge in macro-physics, engineering, and programming does not translate to knowledge in human anatomy, surgery, genetics, and particle physics.

But if you want to let the IT guy remove your tumors, be my guest.

[pRoFlT]

I saw this at NIweek 2012. So yah they cheated. some times the balls dont hit but the music is still played. Demonstrator said it wasn't perfect and they had to choose between sounding\looking good or actually working and sounding bad. I actually got hit by a ball during the demo. When they get all sticky they tend to shoot further.

And yes the balls return to the bottom for some poor sap to retrieve and place in the ball hoppers. Search "niweek 2012 intel" and you will see live demo.

[Ben Garner]

Ok, why don't you try to build a machine that does those things then?

[PANDORASBOXRELEASE]

well, currently, the robotic surgeon software has been known to malfunction a lot lately. So if there is better software with less bugs, then the robotic surgeon would be a lot safer. Due to the bugs, some people literally have "had a blender dropped into their inwards."

[TheTapeClub]

Within the realm of possible, but less than realistically comparable to the work that went into building this contraption.

If robotic surgeon proxies operated using a level of precision anywhere near that of this machine, the patient may as well have volunteered to have a running blender dropped into their innards.

[Hypernl]

And who has to pick up all the balls at the end?

[PANDORASBOXRELEASE]

well, maybe a better software for the robotic surgeons?

[azimuth361]

Also, they're fun and look cool; like Harley Davidsons, Lamborghinis, monster trucks, private jets, speed boats... all things that have no practical value, but much sporting and recreational value.

[azimuth361]

As an Army Veteran of 27 years, I can think of lots of practical applications for machine guns. Protecting my men and me is the most important.

[fremag123vif]

What is the practical application of a machinegun? It is also a marvel of technology, but it is still fairly pointless.

(If you were thinking "Hunting!", then all I'm going to say is 'Murica.)

[fremag123vif]

Still, a guy that specializes in engineering cant quite put in that 3d-printed kidney now can he?

A surgeon is a surgeon, an engineer is an engineer. Anyway, this is cool.

[NoComment030]

True, but knowledge in macro-physics, engineering, and programming can help create robotic limbs, safer cars, more better medical equipment, etc. An engineer can do as much good as a surgeon, if he chooses to create things that benefit people. That doesn't mean there's anything wrong with one taking a few months off to create a cool contraption like this, though.