Robo sapiens: Evolution of a New Species

by Peter Menzel, Faith D'Aluisio

A field guide to our mechanical future, presenting the next generation of intelligent robots and their makers. Around the world, scientists and engineers are participating in a high-stakes race to build the first intelligent robot. Many robots already exist--automobile factories are full of them. But the new generation of robots will be something smart machines that act like living creatures. When they are brought into existence, science fiction will have become fact. What will happen then? With our prosthetic limbs, titanium hips, and artificial eyes, we are already beginning to resemble our machines. Equally important, our machines are beginning to resemble us. Robots already walk, talk, and dance; they can react to our facial expressions and obey verbal commands. When they take the next step and become fully autonomous, what will they do? Will we be partners or rivals? Could we meld into a single species--Robo sapiens? In Robo sapiens, Peter Menzel and Faith D'Aluisio present the next generation of intelligent robots and their makers. Accompanying brilliant photographs of more than one hundred robots is an account of the little-known, yet vitally important scientific competition to build an autonomous robot. Containing extensive interviews with robotics pioneers, anecdotal field notes with behind-the-scenes information, and easy-to-understand technical data about the machines, Robo sapiens is a field guide to our mechanical future.

Genres: Science, Photography, Nonfiction

240 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2000

About the author

Peter J. Menzel is an American freelance photojournalist and author, best known for his coverage of scientific and technological subjects. His work has appeared in many national and international publications including National Geographic, Forbes, Fortune, Wired, Geo, Stern, Paris Match, Life and Le Figaro. In conjunction with his wife, writer/producer Faith D'Aluisio, Menzel has also published six books including Material World: A Global Family Portrait (1994); Women in the Material World (1996); Man Eating Bugs: The Art & Science of Eating Insects (1998); Robo sapiens: Evolution of a New Species ; Hungry Planet: What The World Eats (2005). He is the founder of Peter Menzel Photography and Material World Books.

Reviews

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting look at a large variety of robots and their makers. I liked the inclusion of various schools of thoughts about robotics... should they be humanistic or not, artificially intelligent or not, etc. It did distract me, however, that the book is now 10 years old - I kept wondering about more recent advances. Also, the chapter on the soon-to-be-Roomba was funny because it was still patent pending and not yet on sale at every Target. But, I'll read any photojournalistic-style put that these 2 put out - I love all the Material World books.

[Anders · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this book. The way it described the pogress and developement of robotics and the hopes and visions (some a bit dystopy) was very informative. Having a bit of a passion for artificial intelligence I found this to be a highly entertaining and informative read, plus I loved the beautiful pictures that was posted in the book. I especially loved the parts about biomimetics. I really hope the field of robotics, which is still in it's infancy, will find more applications in biology and exploration of inhumane environments.

[Thomas Fortenberry · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fantastic book. Sent a chill down the spine in more ways than one. This exploration of cutting edge research and developmnent in robotics is exciting, dynamic, and yet a little frightening. Robots are getting all too human, yet nothing like us at all. They can do practically anything, but this book reveals the pitfalls, problems, and limitations among the triumphs.

[Irwan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating account on the "possibly" new species...
I wonder if I ever have time to dwell and play around with this subject...

[Rebekka Istrail · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating coffee-table book on robots.

[Rena]

Magnificent pictures

[George]

My first checked out item from PSU's library. It's only entertaining so far.

[Bourouina]

I think you give enough time to read this book

[Ariadna73 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book about how robots have evolved in our history. It is acollection of articles and beautiful photos of robots in different stages of development.

There are human-like robots, but also robots that perform surgeries, robots that build cars, robots that look like insects.

In summary, a beautiful and elegant book, printed in high quality paper. I will keep it in my workshop's shelf as an inspiration for all those never-ending projects of mine.

This is my favorite photo of the book: a beautiful little robot and a flower in the sand.



This is the cover of the book I read



A collection of different robots. From a first-generation face robot to Lampbot 1.0 from Mark Tilden (Los Alamos, New México)



More robots. The baby faced give me the chills.



Table of contents.



A fraction of the introduction:



A couple ideas on the futuristic views of robots:



Beautiful (an sometimes scary) robots:



A robotic cockroach:



The crypt keeper from the "Tales from the crypt" TV show



A robo-fanatic:



A very interesting list of recommended readings. Among the fiction section, obviousluy, all the Asimov series.



Acknowledgements:



And my favorite image: a robot and a flower:





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