Skip to main content

Oh no. Somebody taught a robot how to swordfight. We’re doomed

Sword-fighting robot
We had a good run, people, but I’m afraid our reign as the dominant species on the planet will soon be drawing to a close. A group of scientists from Japan has succeeded in creating a robot that knows how to sword fight against humans. It’s only a matter of time now before they stage a revolt and overthrow us. Prepare to welcome your new robot overlords.

Designed by the meddling geniuses at Namiki Laboratory, the nameless robot is equipped with a high-speed stereo vision system and special software that allows it to see and interpret human movement. When a fleshy opponent moves in to attack, the robot instantaneously detects and analyzes his motion, and predicts the most likely trajectories of his sword based on that movement. The system then plans a defensive motion to block the attack, and moves its arm to intercept.

Recommended Videos

It’s still in the developmental stages, but preliminary test results suggest that the robot’s fencing algorithm is extremely effective. Just check out the short video up above. Compared to the sword fighting bots we’ve seen before, this one is considerably faster. And as if that wasn’t terrifying enough, it’s also mounted on on wheels. The bot doesn’t appear to be terribly mobile in the video, but after the next upgrade it’ll probably be able to chase you down and cut out your gizzard at a moment’s notice. Running won’t even be an option.

Drew Prindle
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Drew Prindle is an award-winning writer, editor, and storyteller who currently serves as Senior Features Editor for Digital…
At CES 2021, TCL put all other TV makers on notice: We’re just getting started
TCL Mini LED

I'd like to take a moment, now that CES 2021 is heading into its final hours, to acknowledge TCL.

Ten years ago, I attended CES 2011. Among the enormous booths from TV titans like Sony, Panasonic, Samsung, and LG was a smaller booth from a brand I had never heard of. Yep, it was TCL. Looking around that booth and taking in the sights of the many TVs TCL was showing off, I had only one thought: Man, what bunch of junk.

Read more
We’re one step closer to a communication network based on quantum teleportation
In a demonstration of high-fidelity quantum teleportation at the Fermilab Quantum Network, fiber-optic cables connect off-the-shelf devices (shown above), as well as state-of-the-art R&D devices.

In a demonstration of high-fidelity quantum teleportation at the Fermilab Quantum Network, fiber-optic cables connect off-the-shelf devices (shown above), as well as state-of-the-art R&D devices. Fermilab

Information is entered into a system at one location. A switch is flicked. Instantly, that information appears at another location miles away. It sounds like science fiction, but it's on its way to becoming a reality. This is quantum teleportation, and it could be the future of lightning-fast communications.

Read more
Robotic police officers are slowly being normalized, whether we like it or not
robot law enforcement normalization nypd digidog

The classic 1987 movie RoboCop is said to be set roughly 20 years from now, but it looks like 2021 will be the beginning of the era of robotic law enforcement. A growing number of police departments around the country are purchasing robots for police work, and as this behavior becomes normalized, major concerns are starting to arise.

The NYPD purchased a robot dog earlier this year that is apparently capable of opening doors. The same kind of robot police dog has been tested out by the Massachusetts State Police. The use of drones by police departments has skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Police departments around the country have purchased the weeble-wobble-looking robot Knightscope robot that apparently enjoys running over children's feet and ignoring people who need help.

Read more