Robot Archer iCub learns to shoot arrows, pierces our mortal heart (video)
S. Hollister|09.25.10
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In this article: archer, archery, iCub, machine learning, MachineLearning, Petar Kormushev, PetarKormushev, reinforcement learning, ReinforcementLearning, robot, robot archer, robot archer icub, robot learning, RobotArcher, RobotArcherIcub, RobotLearning, robots, Ryo Saegusa, RyoSaegusa, Sylvain Calinon, SylvainCalinon, target practice, TargetPractice, video
How do you make a creepy baby robot downright cute? Give it an Indian headdress and teach it the bow-and-arrow, of course. The same team of researchers who brought us the pancake-flipping robot arm have imbued this iCub with a learning algorithm that lets it teach itself archery much the same as a human might do, by watching where the suction-tipped arrow lands and adjusting its aim for each subsequent shot. In this case, it obtained a perfect bullseye after just eight attempts. Watch it for yourself after the break, and ponder the fate of man -- how can we possibly stop an uprising of adorable robots that never miss?
