DARPA enlists IBM to build computer brain as smart as a cat

Researchers have long been trying to model actual brains in order to build a better computer "brain," and it looks like IBM is now getting a helping hand from none other than DARPA in its attempt to create one that it hopes will one day have the intelligence level of a cat. To that that somewhat unnerving end, DARPA is pouring $4.9 million into a project that'll include five universities and scientists of all stripes, who will work together to create an artificial brain that behaves like a real one right down to the neuron level. As the BBC reports, the researchers are describing this latest initiative as a "180 degree shift in perspective" from previous efforts, as they're now seeking an algorithm first and problems second, as opposed to starting with an objective and devising an algorithm to achieve it. As for DARPA's ultimate goal, well, that's still a bit of a mystery, though let's just say we won't be surprised if future robots start to become very easily distracted.

[Via Daily Tech, image courtesy Mack J, Truth and Beauty Bombs]

[phanbouy fan fan @ Nov 21st 2008 3:49PM]

Catbert could kick Garfield's ass.

[pavlindrom @ Nov 21st 2008 3:50PM]

That face is not yours, is it?

[phanbouy fan fan @ Nov 21st 2008 3:58PM]

Dude! Just because I probably got lots of plastic surgery does NOT mean my career comeback isn't ripe!

[pavlindrom @ Nov 21st 2008 4:01PM]

It's just hard... So not like I would have imagined you, have I tried.

[Brad @ Nov 21st 2008 4:11PM]

pavlindrom
I read your comment several times and I still can't understand it.

[phanbouy fan fan @ Nov 21st 2008 4:15PM]

wow the Dilbert haters and Garfield fanboys are rioting today, huh.

[pavlindrom @ Nov 21st 2008 4:19PM]

@Brad: It's okay, me neither

[DirtyVegas @ Nov 21st 2008 3:59PM]

DARPA wants to make killer lolcats.

[Blackstar @ Nov 21st 2008 6:42PM]

Great. So when you point at something in front of the computer it's just going to stare at your finger.

[Kyle @ Nov 21st 2008 4:00PM]

Wow. Garfield sucks.

http://lasagnacat.com/

It's all about Pearls Before Swine.

http://comics.com/pearls_before_swine/

[phanbouy fan fan @ Nov 21st 2008 4:14PM]

even better http://www.youtube.com/lasagnacat

[Tracy in Cary @ Nov 21st 2008 4:24PM]

Yeah that's what I was thinking! Not only did they pick the stupidest comic strip to go along with the story, the picked a pristine example of why that comic strip is so completely lame!

[Tom @ Nov 21st 2008 4:55PM]

Kyle, thank you for opening my eyes to this wonderful Internet Treasure.

[phanbouy fan fan @ Nov 21st 2008 5:28PM]

even even better: http://garfieldminusgarfield.net

[wonkydonkydotnet @ Nov 21st 2008 4:01PM]

The first thing it will ask is: "I CAN HAZ CHEEZBURGER?"


-sorry, had to do it.

[Ghen @ Nov 21st 2008 5:12PM]

No, you didn't.
You knew you didn't have to do it.
You're not sorry.

[mike @ Nov 21st 2008 4:07PM]

You enlist the guys who turned down DOS? and made OS/2?

Rofl

[Andir3.0 @ Nov 21st 2008 4:17PM]

OS/2 was actually quite nice in a lot of regards.

[theflew @ Nov 21st 2008 4:26PM]

Yes the company that makes $90 Billion a year

[Plothole @ Nov 21st 2008 6:42PM]

Actually IBM ironically put Microsoft in charge of making OS/2. Even more ironic is the fact that when the two companies went their separate ways, Microsoft took the then in development OS/2 3.0 and turned it into Windows NT.

[Wwhat @ Nov 22nd 2008 9:07AM]

Well IBM DID in fact make some very very stupid and weird decisions over the time of their existence, there's no doubt about that.
But they are so damn good at other times that it doesn't affect them at all.

[kal326 @ Nov 21st 2008 4:09PM]

So DARPA is considering cats smart now? Even if they finish this, the curious thing would probably get pwed by a virus in minutes. I get virus, why you get camera?

[MarionBarfs @ Nov 21st 2008 4:13PM]

dude sometimes my cat just flips out and goes ape crazy, i dont want that noise

[Frank @ Nov 21st 2008 4:45PM]

Maybe that's not a good idea.... cats are paranoid and will do whatever it takes to protect itself.

[Skyride @ Nov 21st 2008 4:54PM]

Meow, Meow, mew, mew, purr...... dave

[Aguiluz @ Nov 21st 2008 4:17PM]

A cat may be stupid, but considering that there are no "real" AIs in existence, it is a big jump.

(When I mean "real" AI, it's not one of those "fake" AIs. "Fake" AIs are in games, and they are nothing more than scripted events. "Real" AI thinks for itself.)

[Mic2000 @ Nov 22nd 2008 8:28AM]

You mean Strong AI (Self-aware), which we can never build because we don't know the definition of self-aware, we can't test it.

Weak AI (AI that you find in games),

[Cameron @ Nov 21st 2008 4:19PM]

PussyPC.

[Crooked Style @ Nov 21st 2008 8:24PM]

your mom

[Cameron @ Nov 21st 2008 9:28PM]

@ Crooked Style

:'( Unfinished insults make me sad.

[GoCarnivore @ Nov 21st 2008 4:24PM]

So we're going to have computers that run into brick walls at high speeds for no reason other than they're completely demented? And yes, my cat did stuff like this. She was a great source of comedy up until she took off somewhere.

[ethana2 @ Nov 21st 2008 4:28PM]

It should be pretty sweet when this is coupled with a robotic body of some sort; it may lead to a lot of people reconsidering the meaning of life.

[Samboini @ Nov 21st 2008 5:26PM]

You definitely don't speak for me when you say that.

[G @ Nov 21st 2008 4:28PM]

I for one welcome our new feline robot overlords.

[djupp @ Nov 22nd 2008 6:44AM]

always a classic, G...

[nick @ Nov 21st 2008 4:35PM]

"A project that'll include five universities and scientists of all STRIPES,"





HA!

[marshalldillon @ Nov 21st 2008 4:55PM]

What can this be good for, other than making robots that can ultimately replace us? jesus christ how can these guys pour so much money in something that can only lead to bad news for the human race... isn't Cancer still not 'cured'? how is this allowed?

[Dr. Tchock @ Nov 21st 2008 5:20PM]

So it will sleep 18-22 hours a day, be vindictive and sabotage any task you are doing (like how cats always have to lay on whatever paper/book you are reading)...

[rand @ Nov 21st 2008 5:49PM]

Great, now I can expect my PC to take a crap in my houseplants!

[Jonathan Brennecke @ Nov 21st 2008 5:55PM]

Ican haz comutr smartz!


AI lolcats anyone?

[Amun @ Nov 21st 2008 6:04PM]

I guess I'll have to get used to serving digital tuna to an approximation of a brutal feline overlord.

[Rick @ Nov 21st 2008 6:15PM]

I hope they can teach the thing to use a litter box otherwise it will be messy in the computer room.

[Brad @ Nov 21st 2008 6:20PM]

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/797/1209799744389jf6.png

[R4mp4nT @ Nov 21st 2008 6:33PM]

Engadget you totally let me down. Now don't get me wrong, I like Garfield, but Where's the pic of the Toonsinator from SNL?

[GETYOID @ Nov 21st 2008 7:52PM]

So... DARPA wants a pretty dumb computer then, eh? Why dont they just get that global warming hoax/liar, Al Gore, to develop it? He invented the internet and now global warming too. Seems like he could create something else for society while he's at it...

[reuben @ Nov 21st 2008 7:26PM]

could static electricity impulses be used to position strings of carbon-nanotubes in order to build a bubble-mesh of semiconducting potential? i think my nephew put something in the end of my cigarette...

[Juanito @ Nov 21st 2008 8:08PM]

Perhaps an automated Toonces the Driving Cat for the DARPA grand challenge? ;-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rdLOrOLJiA

[Dekstar @ Nov 21st 2008 8:23PM]

DARPA want to emulate a cat because they think it's the Purrrrrfect choice.

[Craydilledee @ Nov 21st 2008 9:53PM]

The Cray Cat.

Hmmm. So there was a:
Cray Amoeba
Cray Snail
Cray Roach
Cray Birdbrain

...that we haven't seen in public because no self respecting Cray engineer would agree to be seen at their public launches? Of course they agreed to publicize the Cray Cat. That code name is entirely cool.

[adam @ Nov 22nd 2008 12:18AM]

DARPA will create a computer capable of knowing in advance where you are going to step when you get out of bed in the middle of the night, and vomiting there.

the battlefield applications are intriguing.