Avoiding all of the hype over the new Singularity game on Google news, the concept of the Singularity continues to find new permutations. Iran likes to wrap itself in the flag. Reminiscent of other countries that felt behind the curve, Iran celebrated the 'development' of a sub-Asimo robot.
How many nuclear centrifuges does Iran have? That's academic. Always
showing off its tech might, the Islamic
republic now has a bipedal robot that can walk around like a person,
albeit at sub-human speeds. It's the latest volley in the humanoid arms
race pushing us all toward the Singularity.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad showed off the terrifying humanoid at an
event over the weekend marking Iranian industrial prowess. A state-run
newspaper report said the automaton is designed for work in "sensitive
jobs" but did not elaborate.
The robot has no capabilities in sound or vision. Yet, it is presented as a working, useful model which can provide help in "sensitive" jobs, whatever they are. Mobile statues perhaps....
The desire to emulate and surpass the West pervades this faux morality tale. Catching up with native resources is not sufficient for the Iranian authorities. Ahmadinejad requires a symbol of success: one that is intrinsically useful, a hallmark of oppressive regimes that prize utility above research.