While the human-like robots of science fiction have created unrealistic perceptions and expectations of actual robots, Bill Smart, a roboticist at Missouri's Washington University, thinks such misconceptions could nevertheless be helpful in robot design. Smart thinks those raised expectations were down to the impact of unrealistically human-like robots in movies and books. "People don't really know what they are. C-3PO in Star Wars is very humanlike, ... Read full entry

This is an amazing story on two levels. First up, the BBC almost wantonly destroys 108 archived episodes of its classic science fiction production, Doctor Who, from the 1960s. Why? Because they wanted to create storage space for copies of newer programmes, and obviously didn't want to find larger facilities to store all their archived productions. However some of the old Doctor Who shows have now ... Read full entry

From today's science fiction comes tomorrow's science... first it was robots, now it's laser like guns that really stun. British authorities are considering the use of a "microwave beam weapon" as a substitute to the water cannon as a means of controlling riotous crowds. The so-called active denial system (ADS) projects microwave-like radiation for distances of more than 500 yards, creating an excruciating, full-body burning sensation in anyone caught ... Read full entry

The autonomous, almost humanoid, robot of many a science fiction yarn, is almost reality. But unlike some of those sci-fi stories where malfunctioning, or otherwise, malevolent robots plot world domination, we're still in control. Right? Today, thanks to the relentless increase in the power of computing, the latest robots are being fitted with sophisticated systems that enable them to see, feel, move and work together. Robot engineers call this ... Read full entry

The differences between Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey on 35mm and 70mm film are stark enough, to say nothing of viewing the movie on a small screen format. I've seen 2001 well in excess of 100 times (it is, without peer, the greatest motion picture ever made), in formats as disparate as 70mm, laser disk, VHS, broadcast TV, DVD and even the awful, scratched, discolored 35mm print, complete with ... Read full entry

The prospect, no matter how remote, that a space probe launched from Earth may "contaminate" another planet with Earthly microbes, is concerning some scientists, especially once technology allowing unmanned spacecraft to travel to nearby star systems is developed. However far in the future such technologies may be, it is worth thinking about the potential problem of contaminating other solar systems with Earth life, according to a new paper by Charles ... Read full entry

The truth about Captain Kirk An analysis of all 79 episodes of Star Trek, The Original Series, shows Captain Kirk wasn't quite as lucky with the ladies as legend suggests. "Shore Leave" Another one from the past, Ruth, apparently from back in his Academy days or thereabouts. Doesn't seem that much really happened within the story itself, unless you count her showing up again at the end (17 episodes in ... Read full entry

Star Wars Goes on Tour See some of your favourite Star Wars characters out of context amongst an intriguing selection of French backdrops. Photographer Cedric Delsaux brings a new take to the Star Wars legend. He shoots French landscapes, then adds the characters digitally to get the right height, light, and perspective.

Five science fiction movies that get the science right I'm pleased to see 2001: A Space Odyssey making the top of the list here (though I don't think there was any particular order)... Despite being made before the first moon landing, Stanley Kubrick and Arthur C Clarke's masterpiece is a strikingly realistic depiction of space travel. It envisions interplanetary spaceships that use a variety of techniques to allow people ... Read full entry

Last link of the day/week. While looking for a HAL 9000 link I stumbled across the HAL2001 Hackers at Large website. I'm not quite sure what it's all about, but there is certainly some interesting 2001: A Space Odyssey inspired illustration on the site. I especially like the t-shirt and soft drink can label designs. Out. ... Read full entry