Machines Like Us

Though it may sound like science fiction, a renowned South Korean robotics expert Kim Jong-Hwan believes he has developed the first generation of technology to give robots human-like qualities.

Programmed with 14 artificial chromosomes in 1800 bytes that control 77 behaviors, the software robot responds to gestures and facial expressions. Using sensor information, it will spring to life at the sight of its master and express the anticipated emotion -- lapping up affection and retreating when scolded. The software robot -- or "sobot" -- is like a genie in a lamp: a robot's DNA.

One of the outstanding differences between the "sobot" and conventional "robot" is its ability to transfer itself into desktop computers, PDAs, servers and robotic avatars and adapt and evolve like a genetic organism.

"Because a sobot is basically a software system it can easily travel to other robots and multiply. In the middle of such processes it can evolve through crossover and mutation," Professor Kim told the Korea Times.

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