Robotic Technology is probably one of the more interesting fields to study given the scope of fascination. Admit it: it’s like science fiction. The truth is we love the idea of robots, because it instills in us the sense that we’ve created something that’s solely ours and no one else’s. In the case of a consumer, one only has to make the purchase of the robotic product, and automatically the product belongs to that consumer. Having a robo-maid is kind of cool. A car that can drive itself would be a fantasy, and the truth is we’re actually not too far from that. But if you’re looking for cold, hard evidence of projects that are being pursued, look no further.
Take a look at RTI, Inc. (Robotic Technology Incorporated). This company is state of the art robotics.
Now everyone knows that electronics need a source of energy to function. Everyone also knows that these electronics and electrical entities really can’t obtain these sources of energy in order to function. In essence, there’s no concept of self-awareness. They wouldn’t know that they need sustenance of some kind.
Well, RTI, Inc. has a project in mind that creates just that–a robot that can actually know when it needs to replenish its ‘fuel supply’. Sounds crazy, doesn’t it? But it’s real.
The concept was originated back in 2003 and then backed by many corporations to support development of the product. The conceptual robot is called EATR (Energetically Autonomous Tactical Robot). Mainly used for the military, it promotes long-range mission tactics without the use of fuel or other energy sources. Because what the robot does is operate on a sensor system that functions to replenish its own energy source through the act of ‘eating’. That’s right, ‘eating.’ In essence, the EATR is a forager, gathering energy sources through organisms, plantlife, water, all kinds of things.
Dear God, we have what we can call a “hungry robot”!