The rise of the robots

Japan produced the first commercially available robotic pet, called Aibo, a small electronic dog that several owners on Aibonet.comdescribe as part of the family. Aibo is not alone. Dr Thomas Consi MIT has produced the 'robolobster' which is of imitating lobsters' abilities to sense chemicals in the water surrounding them. Researchers at Edinburgh's Mobile Robot Group have made the world's first cyber-cricket.

These machines are important because they demonstrate that simple processes can result in complex behaviours. The robots use 'neural nets', erred processors that have an input level associated with each processor. When an input signal exceeds a certain value, the processor 'fires' a signal processors as output. Because neural nets can recognize patterns in data, they can be ‘trained’ with samples of data which are then revised to improve the response.

The most important crossover, however, is not between animal and robot but between man and machine. Quadriplegics and paraplegics have been testing computer connections for some time to bypass injured nerves, but Professor Kevin Warwick, head of the Department of Cybernetics at the University of Reading, is currently conducting experiments which could lead to more of us becoming cyborgs.

Professor Warwick has previously had a chip fitted into his arm which could activate sensors in doors and computers as he approached. He will soon have another transponder surgically implanted in his arm to record electrical signals controlling his movements, which can be played back so that he is then controlled by a prerecorded self. He predicts that such a technology could, one day, enable us to interact with machines in a completely different way. For example, we could soon be driving cars without steering wheels.

Sporting robots

Each ear teams take part in an international football competition. The teams are organised into five leagues and the prize is a cup. Not just any cup, but the Robocup, for the players are all robots. They don't play on turf but the objective is the same, to hit a ball into a goal. The aim behind the Robocup is to promote the development of robots which can work together. Football is a good test of co-operation for any team and the robots are no exception. Although robot footballers are poor competition for a human team, each year their performance gets better and each the standards expected are raised so that competitors must constantly develop better hardware and software.

The top league is the Sony legged robot division. They use modified versions of the well-known Sony robodog AIBO. A humanoid league will start as soon as there are sufficient two-legged players. The organiser of the Robocup is confident in the future of robotics, 'By mid-21st century, a team of fully autonomous humanoid soccer players will win a soccer game, complying with the official rules of FIFA, against the winner of the most recent World Cup.'

Other sporting events for robots exist. For example, The British Association for the Advancement of Science organises a two-a-side event called Robot Volley Ball. The players' task is simply to return a ball within 60 seconds of its being served. The objective again, is to promote the development of robots which can work co­operatively. The advantages of having robots which can tackle a range of tasks together rather than constructing single expensive robots designed for one task only are obvious.

6. Обсудите информацию в группах. Распределите роли:

1). The Speaker (Using only his notes).

2). The reporter (listens carefully and reports back to the speaker).

3). The judge (listens carefully to both speaker and Reporter and points out any mistakes).

6. Прочитайте информацию о модальном глаголе can и его эквиваленте be able to; выполните упражнение, вставляя правильные формы глагола.

Study these ways to describe ability:

1. Swarming robots can work together to perform searches.

2. Washing machines will be able to report any breakdowns for repair.

3. Imagine being able to send music files to your MP3 player without a wire connection.

4. Professor Warwick had a chip fitted into his arm which could activate sensors in doors and computers as he approached.

5. Marconi was able to send a radio signal from Britain to Newfoundland.

We use can and be able to to describe ability in the present but can is more common. We use could for general abilities in the past but was/were able to describe an ability on a specific occasion. This table summarises their uses:

Ability

___________________________________________________________

Present can be able to

_____________________________________________________________

future X will be able to

_____________________________________________________________

present perfect X has/have been able to

_____________________________________________________________

-ing form X being able to

_____________________________________________________________

past (specific action) X was/were able to

_____________________________________________________________

past (general and with

verbs of sensation) could X

For past negatives and questions both verbs are possible. For example:

Early computers could not/were not able to operate at high speeds.

Could they/were they able to store much data?

Imagine 1 open doors and switch on computers as you approach them. Professor Warwick…………..² because he had an electronic chip fitted into his arm for a month. He…………....³ demonstrate to the press how computers would greet him with, 'Good morning, Professor Warwick' as he walked past. Next he wants to record the signals from his brain to his arm to see if he.…... ⁴ program a computer to operate his arm. In the long term, this may help people who………...⁵ use their limbs. His wife too will have a chip implanted. They hope……….⁶ feed messages into each other's brains. According to the Professor, one day we……….⁷ communicate directly with machines. If he is right, we…………..⁸ drive a car from the passenger seat and we…………………⁹ operate a computer without using a mouse or keyboard. However, there is also the alarming prospect that someone………………¹⁰ hack into your brain.

6. А. Прочитайте информацию о конструкциях страдательного залога и выполните упражнения.

A HELP box The passive

We form the passive with the verb be + the past participle of the main verb. When we mention the agent, we use by. The passive is often used in technical writing to give an objective tone. Present simple passive Information is transmitted by devices such as the telephone, radio, TV or... Present continuous passive New technologies are being devised to allow you to watch TV on your mobile. Past simple passive The term cyborg was invented by M Clynes and N Kline in i960.

Past continuous passive My TV was being repaired so I couldn't watch the match. Present perfect passive It has been predicted that about one third a could eventually be performed outside the workplace Past perfect passive The system had been infected by a virus. Future simple passive In the next few years, GPS chips will also be incorporated into most mobile phones. Modal verbs in the passive It has been predicted that about one-third of all work could eventually be performed outside the workplace

В. Прочитайте статью и выделите страдательный залог в предложениях. Определите время.

A HACKER has been sent to jail for fraudulent use of credit card numbers. Nicholas Cook, 26, was arrested by police officers near a bank cash point last month.

Eight months earlier, he had been caught copying hundreds of computer programs illegally. After an official inquiry, he was accused of software piracy and fined £5,000.

It is reported that in the last few years Cook has been sending malware (malicious software) to phone operators and attacking mobile phones to steal business and personal information. Cook has now been sentenced to three years in prison for stealing passwords and obtaining money by credit card fraud.

Government officials say that new anti-hacking legislation will be introduced in the EU next year.

С. Поставьте глагол в правильную форму.

1. Microprocessors (make) of silicon.

2. Call centres (use)…………………………. to deal with telephone enquiries.

3. In recent years, most mobile phones (equip) with Bluetooth.

4. GPS (develop)……………….. in the 1970s as a military navigation system.

5. Sorry about the mess - the computers (replace)……………. at the moment.

6. In the near future, the Internet (access) more frequently from PDA’s and mobile phones than from desktop computers.

7. Networks (can connect) via satellite.

8. I had to use my laptop this morning while my PC (fix)……

6. А. Прочитайте информацию и выполните упражнения.

HELP box Phrasal verbs

- The meaning of some verbs with particle (often called phrasal verbs) can be easily understood from its two parts.

Look at the photos.

A network consists of two or more...

Separate networks are linked over a public network, the Internet.

- However, many phrasal verbs have an idiomatic meaning, not predictable from the meaning of its parts.

carry (= transport); carry out (= execute)

Computers carry out the programs...

- Certain particles have similar meanings, regardless of the verb (on/off, in/out, etc.).

turn on / switch on

(= start the operation of something) turn off/switch off

(= stop the operation of something)

- Other common phrasal verbs in computing include:

plug into (= connect)

Plug one end of the phone cord into the phone jack.

set up (= establish)

What do I need to set up a wireless LAN?

sign up (= register, enrol in a service)

Once connected, you can sign up for RSS feeds, newsletters, etc.

try out (= test or use experimentally)

You can try out new software on their site.

find out (= learn, discover)

Search the Web to find out more information about WiMAX.

take up (= occupy)

Fibro optic cables take up less space than copper cables.

make up (= constitute, form)

Several LANs connected together make up a WAN.

fill in (= write the necessary information)

You need to fill in this online form.

- When the verb has a preposition associated with it, the preposition must precede the object:

You can look for information on the Web. (not: look information for)

Hackers might break into your PC. (not: break your PC into)

When the particle is an adverb, it can precede or follow the direct object:

You need to type in your username/ ... type your username in.

You can look up words in a dictionary/ ... look words up in a dictionary.

Turn on the computer. /Turn the computer on

If the direct object is a pronoun, the:

particle must follow it

You need to type it in. (not: type in it)

В. Заполните пропуски фразовыми глаголами.

1. To join the club…………………. this form and send it to our office.

2. The CPU……………. all the basic operations on the data.

3. Digital music a lot of space -about 10 MB for every minute of stereo sound.

4. Thousands of networks the Internet.

5. You can use newsgroups to about the latest trends, customer needs, etc.

С. Определите соответствие вопросов с 1 по 6 с ответами (a - f).

1. Why was the hacker arrested?

2. Is it OK to log on to my bank account using public computers in a cybercafé?

3. How do I set up an internet connection at home?

4. Can I download software from your site?

5. How can I add video to instant messaging?

6. What do I need to do to sign up for a Yahoo! email account?

a. Yes, but always remember to log off after you've ended your session.

b. Yes, you can even try the programs out for a period before you buy them!

С. Because he broke into a computer system and stole confidential data.

d. Simply install this program and plug the webcam into your computer.

e. You need to install the software for your router. Follow the instructions provided by your ISP, probably in the form of a “.pdf” file on a CD.

f. You have to create a username and password and then give some personal details.

6. Прочитайте текст и найдите ответы на вопросы в тексте:

1. What frustrating problem does Bluetooth solve?

2. Who first developed Bluetooth?

3. In what ways is Bluetooth particularly suited to portable systems?

4. What do Bluetooth devices share with microwave ovens?

5. List some devices that are suitable for use with Bluetooth.

6. Why is Bluetooth suitable for use on aero planes?

7. What factors provide security for Bluetooth communications?

8. How is the output power level of the transmitter set?

9. Why is there no collision detection in the Bluetooth specification?

10. Why are all devices on a piconet synchronized and controlled by a master device?

11. What are the consequences of Bluetooth having the following characteristics?