Almost Human: Making Robots Think

Almost Human: Making Robots Think chronicles Lee Gutkind's six-year immersion at Carnegie-Mellon University's Robotics Institute, where he documented the development of advanced autonomous robots. The book follows scientists and students as they work to create machines capable of operating independently in complex environments. The narrative centers on several key robotics projects, including the Nomad rover's groundbreaking journey across Chile's Atacama Desert and other innovations in robot mobility and decision-making. Scientists face technical obstacles and institutional challenges while pushing the boundaries of what robots can achieve. The robotics teams must solve problems in artificial intelligence, mechanical engineering, and human-robot interaction as they work toward machines that can function alongside humans. Their work spans multiple fields from space exploration to social robotics, revealing the diverse applications of autonomous technology. The book examines fundamental questions about the nature of intelligence and autonomy, exploring the complex relationship between human and machine cognition. It presents robotics research as a lens through which to consider the future of human-machine collaboration and the evolution of artificial intelligence.

Readers found the book provided an accessible look at robotics research at Carnegie Mellon University, though many felt it focused too heavily on personalities and office politics rather than technical details. Liked: - Clear explanations of complex robotics concepts - Behind-the-scenes view of academic research - Engaging profiles of scientists and students - Documentation of both successes and failures Disliked: - Too much focus on interpersonal drama - Lack of technical depth - Narrative sometimes meanders - Limited coverage of actual robotics breakthroughs As one Amazon reviewer noted: "More about the people than the robots." Another commented: "Expected more discussion of the technology itself." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.4/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: 3.7/5 (15 reviews) Google Books: 3/5 (4 reviews) The book resonates more with readers interested in academic culture and personalities than those seeking detailed robotics information.

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🤖 Carnegie Mellon's Robotics Institute, featured in the book, was the first robotics department at any U.S. university when it opened in 1979. 🌎 The Nomad rover covered 138 miles across Chile's Atacama Desert in 1997, setting a record for autonomous robot travel distance at that time. ✍️ Lee Gutkind is known as "the Godfather of Creative Nonfiction" and founded the first creative nonfiction program in the world at the University of Pittsburgh. 🔬 The book's six-year observation period (2000-2006) coincided with major breakthroughs in autonomous navigation technology that later influenced self-driving cars. 🎓 Many of the student researchers featured in the book went on to lead robotics programs at companies like Google, Boston Dynamics, and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.