Plastic electronics

BBC News : British firm Plastic Logic has announced that it will build the world's first factory to manufacture plastic electronic circuits.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6227455.stm

'Flying carpet' of conductive plastic takes flight

BBC News : A miniature magic carpet made of plastic has taken flight in a laboratory at Princeton University.


The 10cm (4in) sheet of smart transparency is driven by "ripple power"; waves of electrical current driving thin pockets of air from front to rear underneath.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15106231

Build Your Own "Robot Wars" Robot

This video shows you how to come up with the parts, and Salvage affordable motors, gears and more supplies for your "Robot Wars" robot.

Incredible Collaboration of Swam Robotics

In the very near future, these researchers believe robots will combine together to do all the tasks assigned to them. The Swarmanoid Project is a glorious example of a glimpse into the future which demonstrates 60 robots working together in a collaborative environment.  The goal of the swarm robotic project (4 years in the making) is to use the different capabilities of each class of robot and combine them into a system to accomplish tasks.

http://hacknmod.com/hack/incredible-collaboration-of-swam-robotics/

Self-healing materials take cue from nature

BBC News : The development of self-healing materials has surged forward as scientists have taken inspiration from biological systems.

Could a robot be conscious?

BBC News : "If a robot is produced that behaves just like one of us in all respects, including thought, is it conscious or just a clever machine, asks Prof Barry C Smith, director of the Institute of Philosophy."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-14886421