Icub Child-Like Robot's First Appearance

child-like humanoid robot

Icub, a humanoid robot that is said to be capable of mimicking a human child's behavior had its first appearance in Britain at the University of Manchester at the Symposium on Humanoid Robotics. Icub is a project funded for five years by European Commission, which consits of several universities in Europe, through Unit E5 "Cognitive Systems, Interaction & Robotics.

Professor John Gray, visiting professor in the Control Systems Centre at the University of Manchester, said: "It's a tremendous coup to have the iCub here in Manchester - this is the first time it has been seen publicly in the UK. more..

icub computer graphic

Icub was originally designed by scientist for thinking, learning, and talking. Its main platfrom is study cognition through biological motivated algorithms.

iCub is capable of human style eye, head and leg movement as well as basic object recognition and a realistic hand grasping movement.

The mini humanoid robot has been modelled on a three-and-a-half-year-old child and is the result of a five-year £7.5m project is to develop a fully functioning child-like robot.

"Scientists want to give it the ability to crawl on all fours and sit up, to handle objects with precision and to have head and eye movements that echo those of humans," reports PA News.

is he deserving of love?

If this robot is already able to think the way a three-year-old human child does, then we are one step to making an adult robot already. In just a few years, don't be shocked to realize that we have robots with us in our society living like normal people. Now that is my fantasy of the future, and that could be disastrous!.

Watch BBC Video on Icub

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3rd Cebu Psychology Convention A Success!

Photo Copyright 2009

With the Theme "Towards Healing and Intervention: Venturing Into Positive Psychology", the 3rd Annual Cebu Psychology Convention, held at the Cebu Grand Convention Center on February 20, 2009 hit success!

Everything started with the registration, just as an activity should. Though I am not really sure as to how many number of students, teachers and professionals came to join us in the effort, I would have to say, we were many! Today's convention was even better than the last year.

The invocation was sung by Joan Malgapo, USC Chorister's Vice President (S.Y. 2008-2009), followed by a welcome address by Erik James Requina, USC Psychology Society President (S.Y. 2008-2009).

The first speaker was introduced by Tina Espiritu-Velez  MA, an Industrial Psychology professor of University of San Carlos and advider of Society of Young Managers and Personal Organization (SYMPO). Our first speaker Niel Steve Kintanar MA is a former professor of the Psychology Department of the University of San Carlos, now a professor in the Psychology Department of Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University. He talked about an introduction to Positive Psychology and traced its history and tackled Hope Psychology.

Our second speaker was introduced by Mary Daganzo, a faculty member of the University of San Carlos Psychology Department.  Fredrick Boholst PhD, is a former chairman of the Psychology Department of the University of San Carlos (S.Y. 2000-2004), and is a practicing Psychotherapist in Cebu. He is the editor of the Transactional Analysis Journal. He talked about The Psychology of Forgiveness.

After the talk, lunch was served, and Chiqui Cañete, winner of the Psych Idol 2009 serenaded the people with her sweet and melodious voice.

During the afternoon, the last speaker was introduced by Kenneth Lim, Vice President-Internal of the USC Psychology Society (S.Y. 2008-2009).  Maita Prochina, a practitioner of Human Resource Management for the past 18 years,  is currently the HRD manager of Wealth Development Bank. Her talk covered positive psychology in the HR setting.

The activity ended with USC Psychology Society's Executive Vice President Catherine Pepito's Closing Remarks.

And it was a wrap!

Many thanks to E-telecare Global Solutions for being the main sponsor for the activity. Many thanks for all those who attended, especially the psychology students from the University of San Jose-Recoletos, St. Theresa's College, Cebu Institute of Technology , and to the psychology students and faculty members of the University of San Carlos who came to participate in the activity, and many thanks to our guest speakers.

Lastly, the activity wouldn't be at all successful without our Organizing Committee:

Project Head: Erik James Requina

Committee Heads:

Finance - Camille Gonzaga

Marketing - Mona Eloisa Candelario

Secretariat - Joy Ivee Ong, Pamela Ko

Program - Bryony Paige Cabigas

Inter-School - Crystalyn Duran

Souvenir - Serge Luigi Kho

Logistics - Catherine Pepito

Registration - Yasmin Mariz Tormis

Speakers - Jeel Christine de Egurrola

Usher/Usherettes - Norraine Biado

and the rest of the working committee, thank you so much!