Androids in Japan
Japan is kicking some serious butt in the Robotics area, particularly in the humanoid direction. This report
outlines an interesting humanoid robot named "Repliee Q1" at Osaka University in Japan.
They are using an air compressor to control the movement of the android. All it can do currently is sit.
This is how it starts.
July 27, 2005
July 25, 2005
Fastest Computers
Recent press info about Japan planning a faster computer than the current IBM "Blue Gene" machine. The Japanese one is planned to run at about 73 times that speed.
The fastest machines are purported to be: Japan currently has the Earth Simulator, at a speed of 35.9 teraflops, which is fourth fastest after two versions of IBM's Blue Gene and NASA's has the "Columbia" system. A top 500 list of the fastest supercomputers, is released at the "International Supercomputing Conference" in Germany.
Moore Slogs Ahead
Meanwhile, Intel says they are starting immediately on a new 300mm wafer fab in Arizona, capable of getting down to a 45nm feature size. For those not following this too closely, 65nm is the current (Q2 2005) high water mark, that all fabs are running towards.
There is a finish line looming on this though, in that we're approaching the point where electrons are too big relative to transistor features, and something else has to come along. This has long been touted as quantum computing. But lately I hear more about bio-transistors. A few labs have something working there. Last I heard was out in Calgary, Canada where someone was doing basic biological cells for transistor functions, probably still just in a petri dish.
Also hearing about 'nano-wires' of various types... but the problem is getting them to grow precisely where you want them. Subltle shifts in position mean the potential semiconductor ends up 'wrong' and you lose the device.
There will be some big breakthroughs in non silicon, non III-IV materials semiconductors soon. Then a bottle of liquid which is your computer won't be far off, simply put a spoon full of sugar in to keep it going.
Recent press info about Japan planning a faster computer than the current IBM "Blue Gene" machine. The Japanese one is planned to run at about 73 times that speed.
The fastest machines are purported to be: Japan currently has the Earth Simulator, at a speed of 35.9 teraflops, which is fourth fastest after two versions of IBM's Blue Gene and NASA's has the "Columbia" system. A top 500 list of the fastest supercomputers, is released at the "International Supercomputing Conference" in Germany.
Moore Slogs Ahead
Meanwhile, Intel says they are starting immediately on a new 300mm wafer fab in Arizona, capable of getting down to a 45nm feature size. For those not following this too closely, 65nm is the current (Q2 2005) high water mark, that all fabs are running towards.
There is a finish line looming on this though, in that we're approaching the point where electrons are too big relative to transistor features, and something else has to come along. This has long been touted as quantum computing. But lately I hear more about bio-transistors. A few labs have something working there. Last I heard was out in Calgary, Canada where someone was doing basic biological cells for transistor functions, probably still just in a petri dish.
Also hearing about 'nano-wires' of various types... but the problem is getting them to grow precisely where you want them. Subltle shifts in position mean the potential semiconductor ends up 'wrong' and you lose the device.
There will be some big breakthroughs in non silicon, non III-IV materials semiconductors soon. Then a bottle of liquid which is your computer won't be far off, simply put a spoon full of sugar in to keep it going.
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