This is good news as far as my research is concerned. I really think that there is a great synergy coming in terms of automation into areas that we don't really consider as ripe or fruitful to do so.
Researchers in robotics have traditionally faced two debilitating obstacles: terribly expensive parts and difficulty attracting funding from anyone outside of a small corps of true believers. But robotics experts see a "perfect storm" heading their way, thanks in no small part to the human ravages of war.Just as the constant march of technology is driving down the cost of key components, top universities in robotics are reporting major increases in federal funding, with the Defense Department the biggest spender.
The military desperately wants to reduce the number of soldiers killed by roadside bombs or surface-to-air missiles — cheap implements of war that have felled scores in Iraq (news - web sites). Many in the Pentagon (news - web sites) believe the answer lies in autonomous air, sea and land vehicles.
The Robotics Institute at Carnegie Mellon University has seen federal funding jump 48 percent since 2000, and by 117 percent since 1994. Much of the $24.8 million in federal funding for 2003 came from the Pentagon, said institute director Chuck Thorpe.
The university's corporate funding for robotics is also up 40 percent since 2000, with $7.8 million arriving last year.
Of course, I haven't gotten any funding on this yet, but I am more confident about where I am looking.