Alt-BEAM Archive
Message #05501
To: synet@beam-online.com
From: Noam Rudnick, rudnick1@cwix.com
Date: 07/31 9:23 AM
Subject: [alt-beam] Re: Fwd: Symets, Web page and BEAM vs. Computers
Hi,
> BEAM vs. The computer----
> I was just giving this some thought and I just wanted to see what you
> guys thought.... BEAM stuff is.... What? Any robot that doesn't use a
> cpu? A robot that fits into the "BEAM"? It seems only bots that use
> Tilden's circuits are 'BEAM' robots????? I mean if I came up with a
> really cool circuit and bot nobody here would call it a 'BEAM' robot?
> Why? Am I wrong here? And.... BEAM robots are made of transistors. Cpu's
> are made up of transistors. Whats the difference? Other than that a cpu
> could be called just a really complex 'BEAM' circuit that has memory and
> you can 'program' it.
I like to think that there is an important difference between beam and
traditional cpu based robots. CPUs carry out a predetermined program over
and over again, and operate in a very unnatural way. They go through a
routine which can easily be mapped out in the form of a flowchart. BEAM
robots on the other hand rely on idependant, yet closely related
reflexes.
Although the end effect might turn out to be quite similar, the scond
method will tend to be less complex, faster, yet much more complicated to
reprogram. From my knowledge, the second method also appears to mimic
biology much more closely. We also must ask ourselves if we really care
*how* robots think as long as the output is the same.
Just my opinions,
Noam Rudnick
P.S. Since for some reason I am unable to send mail to the list, I would
appreciate it if you could forward it. Also please make a note that all
responses should be CCed to my personal account as well as the list.
Thanks
----------------- End Forwarded Message -----------------
*-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-*
Ian Bernstein "aka - Synet" The Master Builder
E-Mail - Ian@beam-online.com
BEAM Online - http://www.beam-online.com
Quote - "Programming today is a race between software engineers
striving to build bigger and better idiot-proof programs, and the
Universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the Universe
is winning."
- Rich Cook
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