Japanese Scientist Builds Robots That Look Eerily Human

What are androids?

An android is a robot or synthetic organism designed to look and act like a human, especially one with a body having a flesh-like resemblance. Until recently, androids have largely remained within the domain of science fiction, frequently seen in film and television..

Name the three robots Professor Hiroshi Ishiguro has created for the 'Android: What is Human' exhibition? What are their respective roles?

The front runner in this race is Professor Hiroshi Ishiguro who has spent over 20 years trying to build human-like machines. Over the years, the Osaka UniversityRoboticist has released numerous prototypes. However, it is his latest exhibition'Android: What is Human', which opened at Tokyo's National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan), on Tuesday June 24th, that is creating a stir, both nationally and internationally. There names are  Otonaroid (Otano means adult in Japanese) and the juvenile Kodomoroid (Kodomo means child in Japanese)

Why are androids more difficult to build then normal robots?

Android researchers begin by making a complete plaster cast of a human model, right down to the teeth. They then spend hundreds of hours molding and painting the features so that the robot closely resembles the human it is being modeled after. That, is the easy part! Then starts the arduous process of installing the complex machinery and countless hours of programing so that the androids not only replicate human gestures and facial expressions, but also, think like them. It is no wonder that most scientists gravitate towards building 'easier' industrial robots.

Critical Thinking Challenge:

Some people believe android robots are cool. Others think they are a little creepy. What side are you on? Why?

I don't really know because they could help the world by doing stuff we don't have time for but they aren't the prettiest things.

Video Of The Week - British Competition Honors Naughty Pets

Why did Direct Blinds ask people to post pet pictures on their Facebook page?

Three hundred of Britain's badly behaved pets recently got their day in the sun, thanks to a nationwide competition to honour the naughtiest of them all! The contest, organized by Direct Blinds an online supplier of custom window coverings, asked owners to upload photos of their pets caught performing their naughtiest deeds, on the company's Facebook page.

What title did Yodie win? What did he do to deserve it?

Though they were all shockingly mischievous, it was Yodie, a German Shepherd and Keeshond Cross, that captured the judges' attention. However, it is cushions that the pooch seems to hate the most. One of his biggest fights with them came during a two-week period when Yodie was unwell and ordered by the vet to stay at home. Vitty believes that he was so bored that he decided to attack every cushion he could put his paws on and distribute the shreds all over the house. The family needed the money to get more cushions.

What are the 2nd and 3rd place winners known to do frequently?

In second place was another dog called Harry, whose favourite hobby is to shred newspapers and magazines. 

The funniest and most talented however was Stoops, a black cat who came in third place - She apparently loves to open the fridge and hop in to lick the tops of the cold milk bottles.

Critical Thinking Challenge:

What is the naughtiest thing that you have seen or heard a pet do?

I got new puppies and they are very cheeky they bite my mums nice table and baskets then when we look at them they have a little innocent face that says "i'm not doing anything "

Joey Chestnut Wins Hot Dog Eating Contest for Eighth Consecutive Year!

Who was responsible for making Nathan's hot dog contest famous? How many hot dogs did he eat?

When Japan's Takeru Kobayashi devoured 50 hot dogs in 12 minutes, that it gained international fame. Though Kobayashi, who won the event for six consecutive years until he was dethroned by California rookie Joey Chestnut in 2007, is long gone, the contest which is now streamed live on the ESPN channel, has become a July 4th tradition - one that is watched by millions of people every year.

How many years has Joey Chestnut won the contest prior to this year? What significant event occurred before the contest began?

Joey "Jaws" Chestnut, who has dominated this competition for the last seven years. He ate 69 hot dogs and buns the 30-year-old had managed to devour in 2013. .Though he could not pinpoint the cause we have a feeling that it may have had something to do with the fact that his longtime girlfriend and competitive eater, Nesile Ricasa, had agreed to marry him on national television, just minutes before the competition.

What happened in the women's contest?

In the womans contest three-time defending women's champion Sonya 'Black Widow' Thomas did not fare anything. She was defeated by Miki Sudo from Las Vegas, who ate 34 frankfurters, far outpacing Sonya's 27 3/4

Critical Thinking Challenge:

What in your opinion makes food eating contests like these so popular (a) with contestants (b) with viewers?

( a ) Because they might want to be on tv or want to be seen. They might be looking at the people and how they do so they and can get better next year.

( b ) I wouldn't really like to go to one so I really don't know why they would like to see it. I would only go if it was for charity or to a good cause.

Bali Trip

These baskets are called Canang sari and they are there to give gratitude and life back to the gods and they do this tree time a day. It is a duty and an honour to do this. 

This school i'm doing is Green School in Bali, Indonesia. Green school is giving its students a natural, holistic and student-centered education in one of the most amazing environments on the planet. 

This is green school

Dozens of toothless Garra rufa fish, which are about the size of minnows. They are also known as doctor or nibble fish. They suck and gently nibble away at dry and dead skin.

A method (originally used in Java) of producing coloured designs on textiles by dyeing them, having first applied wax to the parts to be left undyed.

Saraswati temple Kingdom of Ubud is dedicated to honor the Hindu Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of learning, literature and art.

Term 2 Reflection 2014

Positives
- A positive is that me and Zoe trailed for Master Chef and got in and have mad it through 7 rounds and are now we are in the final.
- I trailed for hockey and got in the C team but then had a random go at goalie and they liked me so much I got in the AIMS Hockey for goalie.
- Dancing on stage for Jrock and having a wild time.
- A positive is that I have goals to work towards and set me up for collage.

Minus
- Is that I have no minuses.

Interesting
- Fun moments with my friends have been a very interesting time.
- The book we are reading is Demon Dentist and it is a interesting book but is really funny as well.
- Kia Kaha with Constable Den came in and talked about bullying and how to ignore bullies and that was one of the most interesting and funniest days.
- I really enjoyed Dave coming to our school because he really inspired me to make more friends and he's really funny to.

Caveman poo suggests they may have eaten vegetables

SC:
- Use at least 3 of the 7 servants
- Questions must make sense
- Question MUST have a question mark.

1. Ancient specimens of poo from Southern Spain was left how may years ago?

50,000

2. Were was Researchers examined to find ancient specimens of poo?

Southern Spain

3. What did they also find in the poo apart from the veggies ?

Traces of meat

4. What did the consumed a regular portion of?

Plants, such as tubers, berries, and nuts. 

5. Who says "they used their teeth as tools, biting plants, among other things."

Anaira Sistiaga

6. What kind of teeth do they have?

Neanderthal teeth

7. They were close evolutionary cousins of our own species so what are they ?

Homo sapiens