Scientists create self-replicating robot

[tarchon]

Von Neumann machines.

Nah, a Von Neumann machine is a way of structuring an information processing system. Rarely the term is used for self-replicating machines because von Neumann also discussed them, but it's not widely used. There are a number of terms for self-replicating machines but since none of them work or have compelling theoretical insights behind them, none of the associated terms have been elevated to common use. People use "Turing machine" and "Von Neumann" machine to describe information processing architectures because Turing's and von Neumann's conceptual frameworks work very well and had fundamental influence on the development of the modern computer.

 

[der_kluge]

Von Neumann machines.

That's it. Thanks.

 

[Dakkareth]

Wikipedia also says "The term von Neumann machine also refers to self-replicating machines."

*shrug* Not my speciality, just general 'knowledge'.

 

[tarchon]

Wikipedia also says "The term von Neumann machine also refers to self-replicating machines."

*shrug* Not my speciality, just general 'knowledge'.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Von_Neumann_machine
"The term "von Neumann machine" is less specific and, confusingly, also refers to a completely unrelated computer architecture proposed by von Neumann (see above), so the use of this misnomer should be discouraged whenever accuracy is important."

 

[Angel Tarragon]

I was thinking nanobots, but they are [usually] smaller than 4 inches.

 

[Krieg]

Folks we're safe until roughly 2040.

That's when the first AI will become sentient.

Then all bets are off.

 

[bolen]

I don't know if I buy that I am kind of with Penrose and really doubt strong AI will be done in the next 200 or so years. It is a long leap from algorithms to actual AI.

I doubt anything will pass the "Turing test" (ie be indestinguishable from a person behind a keyboard) in our lifetimes. (Note I am a physicist not a computer scientist so take my opinion for what it is worth, not a whole lot)