Fruit fly flight simulator could smarten up robots
By Darren Murph 
posted April 26th 2008 10:42AM
posted April 26th 2008 10:42AM
Wondering just how we mere mortals were going to even give a robot enough smarts to completely overtake our societies? Oddly enough, some of that artificial brain power could come from studying the way fruit flies, um, fly. A completely bizarre flight simulator at Caltech actually plays "scenes" that flys react to, and considering that the fly is constantly held, researchers can closely examine how the insect attempts to navigate away from lines, blobs and all manners of incoming obstacles. Those working with the installation suggest that these studies could one day help autonomous robots function better, potentially taking some of the load off of our human workforce. We know, you've got three bold letters and a question mark running through your noggin right now -- just hit the read link to see what it's all about.[Thanks, Dave]
Holy Crap! Number 1! Woot!
now what
And this is the *only* think you'll be number one in for your entire life. Hooray!
Fail.
Scientific study shows that a fly's compound eyes actually "slow motion down" so it can navigate easier at high speed.
The problem is, if something is moving at high speed with little wind resistance, the fly can't see it. That is the principle a swatter is built on.
I wonder if a detailed analysis of fly / fly swatter relations is warranted here... I am ignorant to the details of such studies, however, I believe the compound eye could slow the perceived speed of motion of images traveling across the fly's eye... however, I would like to venture to guess two things :
1st - flies don't accomplish much in terms of complex object recognition... beyond wavelengths, colors and perhaps very simple objects (i.e. occupied space vs. unoccupied space)
2nd - the inability of a fly to outrun a fly swatter has less to do with its visual capabilities and more to do with the relative size of its antagonist, the incredible speed at which it is traveling and the fact that the strike originates from a point in space that is virtually infinity from the fly's limited perspective.
Makes me think of a wonderful story... I forget the name of the author... maybe the book was HYPERSPACE?? Talking about fish and their scientists discussing the forces at work that move the lily pads.
I thought a fly swatter was holy because you would get less wind resistance swinging it and therefore faster speed.
It's fruit "flies", and not fruit "flys"...
Where?
:"A completely bizarre flight simulator at Caltech actually plays "scenes" that flys react to..."
Okay. I get it. I'm slow. Nerf, nerf.
(And if anyone notices, the time delay isn't due to my extreme slowness, it's because I left he article and just came back...hrm, this addendum makes me look like I am ridden with insecurity...okay, I am going to stop rambling..after this. Wow, my parenthetical comment is longer than my post, odd, eh? Okay, I am done now. I am going to click submit.)
Shut it! people still know what it means!
"Those working with the installation suggest that these studies could one day help autonomous robots function better, potentially taking some of the load off of our human workforce."
oh yes! I can see it now fully automated robotic fly swatters... with electric shocking... and lasers - yes definitely lasers...
Way to take the load of my workforce
OMG? WTF? ... BBQ?
WHY?
BBQ, definitely BBQ
wat?
LOL?
huh?
DON'T START SKYNET!!!
I smell a Michael Crichton novel.... Anyone read "Prey"?
This is seriously ancient news. Like "raiders of the lost article" ancient. Like news back when old skool was new age. Like oldest, (c)oldest, and (m)old(iest) news ever.
I saw this on nova or something about a year ago, but
...But nice try anyway.
..That video was more interesting than I'd thought it'd be... then again I'm doing EE co-currently with physiology at uni... yea I'm a weird one..
Any word on those three letters?
cba?
R.A.B
MEH?