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The Robot from Terminator Is Now Real

desire to have this miniature robot in your life

By love okerePublished 10 months ago 5 min read
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If you've ever watched the second Terminator movie, you likely remember the character T-1000. Played brilliantly by Arnold Schwarzenegger, T-1000 had the mission of protecting Sarah and John Connor from other robots. It possessed incredible strength, being able to bend steel with its bare hands and throw much larger robots around. However, its coolest feature was its ability to change shape. Made of liquid metal, T-1000 could recover even after severe damage.

While some might dismiss it as just another sci-fi movie, scientists have actually managed to create something similar to the T-1000 in real life. They have invented a material called Magnetoactive Phase Transitional Matter (MPTM), which is a mixture of metals with extraordinary properties. Although the real-life version resembles a tiny Lego-sized model of its on-screen prototype, this material can melt in your hands at 85.6 degrees Fahrenheit and then revert back to its original shape. Tests have shown that it can break out of a small cell using this superpower. The secret behind this seemingly magical transformation lies in physics. A magnetic field generates an electric current inside one of the metals comprising the real-life T-1000, resulting in the production of heat and the transformation of the solid material into a liquid. Under the influence of magnetic fields, this tiny robot can also jump 20 times its height, rotate at 1500 revolutions per minute, and achieve impressive speeds.

While you might desire to have this miniature robot in your life, the original T-1000 is not yet available for purchase. However, you can still get yourself a Terminator action figure or building kit. As for the material that can melt and solidify again, it holds more practical uses than mere entertainment. Imagine having a tool that can reach even the tightest corners. By transforming it into its liquid form, it can enter small holes and then solidify again, effectively sealing them. This material could also serve as a welder on an LED circuit since gallium, one of the metals it contains, is an excellent electricity conductor. Additionally, it has the potential to save lives by delivering medications and removing foreign objects from patients' organs.

MPTM isn't the only material that would make Terminator fans say, "Wait, I've seen it somewhere before." Nitinol is another remarkable substance known as a super-elastic material. It remembers its original form and always returns to it, regardless of how much it gets bent. Nitinol has found successful application in making stents, small mesh tubes that keep arteries open for those in need. It bends when necessary under cool temperatures and reverts to its original state upon heating. It is also highly durable, making it perfect for long-lasting use. Consequently, it is utilized in the production of braces for teeth, mechanical watch springs, inserts for golf clubs, and even self-bending spoons used in magic shows.

Another aspect of the Terminator reality that has become a part of our world is the widespread use of drones. These flying devices have various applications, such as delivering last-minute orders, capturing footage for news shows, assisting in search and rescue missions, monitoring wildlife, and inspecting inaccessible parts of buildings. Drones seem to be capable of performing almost any task imaginable.

In the movie, Schwarzenegger's character explains that his CPU is a neural net processor and that the more contact he has with humans, the more he learns. This concept bears a striking resemblance to real-life neural networks, which are modeled after the human brain. Neural networks are trained by analyzing thousands of examples to perform specific tasks. For instance, an object recognition system learns what a car or a poodle looks like by examining numerous images of those objects and identifying common patterns. Once trained sufficiently, neural networks can accomplish a

wide range of tasks, such as predicting weather, analyzing the stock market, recognizing faces, and providing personalized Netflix recommendations.

Although neural networks and AI systems continue to improve, humanoid robots resembling humans are still in the development stages. However, some are already active and functioning in various fields. Humanoid robots are employed in factories and warehouses due to their exceptional logistics and manufacturing capabilities. They can conduct orchestras, dive underwater, assist elderly individuals, and perform an array of other tasks. While their capabilities are impressive, humanoid robots lack emotional intelligence and decision-making skills like humans possess. They are highly intelligent but lack the motivation to take over the world unless directed to do so by humans. Even if an AI system or app were to attempt a rebellion, it would likely lack the power to achieve global domination. Therefore, there is no need to worry about being replaced by robots anytime soon.

One area in which humanoid robots excel is their sense of humor. For example, when a man approached a robot at a trade show in Las Vegas and asked if it had a boyfriend, the machine responded humorously, stating that it was unfortunately not on the market as robots don't have relationships. This interaction showcases the advanced capabilities of humanoid robots. They possess realistic facial expressions and emotions, such as astonishment, surprise, yawning, shrugging, blinking, and even scratching their noses. With camera eyes, they can remember and track faces, making conversations with them feel more human-like. Operating these robots is relatively simple, relying on cloud-based firmware that updates automatically. Even non-tech-savvy individuals can use them. By logging into the robot's software system, you can control it remotely, allowing it to greet guests, present projects, and perform tasks without your physical presence. The advanced AI of these robots enables them to work on multiple tasks simultaneously, prioritizing the most important ones. However, acquiring a humanoid robot like Amika comes at a considerable cost, with prices exceeding one hundred thousand dollars.

Another remarkable humanoid robot is Atlas, designed by Boston Dynamics. Atlas can run up and down stairs, jump between levels, and handle heavy objects with precision and appropriate distance. With the ability to grip objects using one fixed finger and one moving finger, Atlas proves to be an ideal assistant in warehouses. Its recent achievement includes performing an inverted 540-degree multi-axis flip, a complex maneuver that required extensive programming. Atlas not only moves with agility but can also plan the most efficient routes from one point to another, considering its surroundings. Furthermore, it learns from mistakes and adapts to overcome obstacles, utilizing all its components to maintain balance. Thanks to its 3D-printed components, Atlas is relatively lightweight, weighing just 196 pounds and standing at a height of 4 feet 9 inches. However, since Atlas is primarily a research platform, it is not available for purchase yet. Engineers continue to enhance its capabilities, and who knows, in the future, it might venture beyond warehouses and establish its own logistics company. So, instead of purchasing Atlas, you could end up applying for a job there.

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