Robots for the Real World

Professor Rodney Brooks, Director of the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, gave a talk at the ANU in Canberra on Tuesday on Demographics, Labor Markets, Robotics, and ICT:

The bulge of baby-boomers moving through the population of the west has in many ways determined priorities in medecine, science, and technology for the last 60 years. It will continue to do so for the next few decades. We will see demand for increased productivity in jobs that have traditionally involved manual labor. Robotics provides one way to meet those demands, and the critical research areas in robotics and more general information and communication technologies will be driven by those demands. Australia provides interesting test cases in certain areas while other regions of the world provide complementary cases.

The professor provided an entertaining talk with videos of robots at different stages of development. He argues that low cost flexible robots which can be easily set up by workers (not robot experts) are becoming feasible. Robots need not be able to do everything a human can do to be useful, they can do the easy (for them) more repetitive tasks.

He used the example of the Roomba robot vacuum cleaner, which several researchers have written about.

However, all his robots seemed to be very mechanical. One place where robots have become very successful is on the Internet. Web 'bots search the web and respond to routine email inquiries. These work well because the cyberspace world was specially built for them. Perhaps robots and people can more easily interact in a cyberspace enhanced real world workplace.

As an example a robot with a camera can see how many parts are in a bin next to a production line. But a cyberspace enhanced robot will also be able to see how many parts are in the warehouse next door, by checking the warehouse database. If the human operator is equipped with virtual reality glasses (or just an ordinary computer screen), they will also be able to see this as well and better interact with the robot.

Building robots needs some mechanical sophistication. As an example Professor Brooks discussed a touch sensor made of a dimpled sheet of rubber fitted with magnets and hall effect sensors. When the rubber dimple is deflected the movement of the attached magnet is detected by the hall effect sensor. But this seems a very complex design.

It might be simpler to adapt a cheap membrane keyboard:

...membrane keyboard basically consists of three layers; two of these are membrane layers containing conductive traces. The center layer is a "spacer" containing holes wherever a "key" exists. It keeps the other two layers apart.

... when the top layer is pressed down (with a finger), it makes contact with the bottom layer. ... The switch is now "closed", and the parent device registers a keypress.

If a tiny version of this was made with different thickness rubber buttons, which button was pressed would indicate the force applied. This would make a cheap and simple pressure sensor without the need for magnets or hall effect devices.

Smart vehicles and subs in Canberra

At its open day on 26 August 2006 the Australian National University displayed the test-bed vehicle for its Smart Cars project and a minature robot submarine.

The test-bed vehicle in is a modified 1999 Toyota Landcruiser Four Wheel Drive. From the outside, the only obvious difference from any other SUV is a laser Range finder mounted on the bull bar, to scan the road ahead. Inside it is packed with computers and cameras.

The submarine is only about half a metre long, with five specially designed electric motors in place of the complex moving control surfaces of a conventional submarine. The intention is to have a large number of these submarines under computer control, cooperating to collect data under the ocean.

Australian ICT Standards to be Withdrawn

Standards Australia has advised that it is planning to withdraw some Australian Standards which are more than 10 years old. Details are:

• Media release
• Process used
• List of standards to be withdrawn

Also the Productivity Commission has released a study into the Australian Government’s relationship with Standards Australia.

The list of standards to be withdrawn is a bit difficult to read, as they are grouped in batches by date inspected. I have extracted the ICT standards from the latest version of the list and sorted them by the name of the standard:

Communication and information technology standards for withdrawal by Standards Australia.
As at 22 August 2006.

Designation	Title	Committee	Comment closes
AS 1436-1983	Alphanumeric character set OCR-B for optical recognition	IT-001	2006-07-29
AS 3716-1989	Character sets and information coding - ISO 8-bit code for information interchange - Structure and rules for implementation	IT-001	2006-07-29
AS 3510-1987	Data communication - Arrangements for DTE to DTE physical connection V.24 and X.24 interchange circuits	IT-001	2006-07-29
AS 3636.1-1989	Data storage and transfer media - Storage, transportation and maintenance of magnetic media for use in data proccessing and information storage Exchangeable disks	IT-001	2006-07-29
AS 3636.3-1989	Data storage and transfer media - Storage, transportation and maintenance of magnetic media for use in data proccessing and information storage Flexible disk cartridges (diskettes)	IT-001	2006-07-29
AS 3636.4-1989	Data storage and transfer media - Storage, transportation and maintenance of magnetic media for use in data proccessing and information storage Magnetic tape cartridges and cassettes	IT-001	2006-07-29
AS 3636.2-1989	Data storage and transfer media - Storage, transportation and maintenance of magnetic media for use in data proccessing and information storage Magnetic tape on spools	IT-001	2006-07-29
AS 3714-1989	Data storage and transfer media - Volume and file structure of flexible disk cartridges (diskettes) for information interchange	IT-001	2006-07-29
AS 1245-1972	Dimensions and location of rectangular punched holes in 80 column punched paper cards	IT-001	2006-07-29
AS 1069-1971	Dimensions for punched paper tape for data interchange	IT-001	2006-07-29
AS 1073.1-1979	Dimensions of hubs and reels for magnetic tape for instrumentation interchange General purpose hubs and reels, with 76 mm (3 in) centre hole	IT-001	2006-07-29
AS 1073.3-1979	Dimensions of hubs and reels for magnetic tape for instrumentation interchange General purpose reels with 8 mm (5/16 in) centre hole	IT-001	2006-07-29
AS 1073.2-1988	Dimensions of hubs and reels for magnetic tape for instrumentation interchange Precision reels	IT-001	2006-07-29
AS 1521-1976	Grid system for printed circuits	IT-001	2006-07-03
AS 1560-1989	Guidance for the mounting of discrete electronic components on printed boards	IT-001	2006-07-03
AS 2412-1980	Information interchange on 3.81 mm (0.150 in) magnetic tape cassette at 4 cpmm (100 cpi), phase encoded at 63 ftpmm (1600 ftpi)	IT-001	2006-07-03
AS 2750-1985	Information processing - 9-track, 12.7 mm (0.5 in) wide magnetic tape for information interchange - Format and recording, using group coding at 246 cpmm (6250 cpi)	IT-001	2006-07-29
AS 1009-1983	Information processing - 9-track, 12.7 mm wide magnetic tape for information interchange recorded at 32 rpmm	IT-001	2006-07-29
AS 2825-1985	Information processing - Character structure for start/stop and synchronous character-oriented transmission	IT-001	2006-07-29
AS 3602-1988	Information processing - Data interchange on 12.7 mm wide magnetic tape cartridges - 18 tracks, 1491 data bytes per millimetre	IT-001	2006-07-03
AS 2910-1986	Information processing - Data interchange on 130 mm (5.25 in) flexible disk cartridges using modified frequency modulation recording at 7 958 ftprad, 1.9 tpmm (48 tpi), on both sides -...	IT-001	2006-07-29
AS 3630.1-1988	Information processing - Data interchange on 130 mm (5.25 in) flexible disk cartridges using modified frequency modulation recording at 13 262 ftprad, on 80 tracks on each side Dimensional, physical and magnetic characteristics	IT-001	2006-07-29
AS 3630.2-1988	Information processing - Data interchange on 130 mm (5.25 in) flexible disk cartridges using modified frequency modulation recording at 13 262 ftprad, on 80 tracks on each side Track format B for 80 tracks	IT-001	2006-07-29
AS 2847.1-1986	Information processing - Data interchange on 130 mm (5.25 in) flexible disk cartridges using two-frequency recording at 7958 ftprad, 1.9 tpmm (48 tpi), on one side Dimensional, physical and magnetic characteristics	IT-001	2006-07-29
AS 2847.2-1988	Information processing - Data interchange on 130 mm (5.25 in) flexible disk cartridges using two-frequency recording at 7958 ftprad, 1.9 tpmm (48 tpi), on one side Track format	IT-001	2006-07-29
AS 3605.1-1988	Information processing - Data interchange on 200 mm flexible disk cartridges using modified frequency modulation recording at 13 262 ftprad, 1.9 tpmm on both sides Dimensional, physical and magnetic characteristics	IT-001	2006-07-29
AS 3605.2-1988	Information processing - Data interchange on 200 mm flexible disk cartridges using modified frequency modulation recording at 13 262 ftprad, 1.9 tpmm on both sides Track format	IT-001	2006-07-29
AS 2747.1-1985	Information processing - Data interchange on 200 mm flexible disk cartridges using two-frequency recording at 13 262 ftprad on one side Dimensional, physical and magnetic characteristics	IT-001	2006-07-29
AS 2747.2-1985	Information processing - Data interchange on 200 mm flexible disk cartridges using two-frequency recording at 13 262 ftprad on one side Track format	IT-001	2006-07-29
AS 3606.1-1988	Information processing - Data interchange on 6.30 mm magnetic tape cartridge using GCR recording at 394 ftpmm, 39 cpmm Mechanical, physical and magnetic properties	IT-001	2006-07-29
AS 3606.2-1988	Information processing - Data interchange on 6.30 mm magnetic tape cartridge using GCR recording at 394 ftpmm, 39 cpmm Streaming mode	IT-001	2006-07-29
AS 2765-1985	Information processing - File structure and labelling of flexible disk cartridges for information interchange	IT-001	2006-07-29
AS 1068-1987	Information processing - File structure and labelling of magnetic tapes for information exchange	IT-001	2006-07-29
AS 2356.4-1980	Information processing - Implementation of the 7-bit coded character set and its extensions Implementation of the 7-bit coded character set and its 7-bit and 8-bit extensions on 3.81 mm magnetic tape cassette for data interchange	IT-001	2006-07-29
AS 2356.1-1980	Information processing - Implementation of the 7-bit coded character set and its extensions Implementation of the 7-bit coded character set and its 7-bit and 8-bit extensions on 9-track 12.7 mm (0.5 in) magnetic tape	IT-001	2006-07-29
AS 2356.3-1980	Information processing - Implementation of the 7-bit coded character set and its extensions Representation of the 7-bit coded character set on 12-row punched cards	IT-001	2006-07-29
AS 2356.2-1980	Information processing - Implementation of the 7-bit coded character set and its extensions Representation of the 7-bit coded character set on punched tape	IT-001	2006-07-29
AS 1953-1987	Information processing - ISO 7-bit and 8-bit coded character sets - Code extension techniques	IT-001	2006-07-03
AS 2414-1980	Information processing - Magnetic tape cassette and cartridge labelling and file structure for information interchange	IT-001	2006-07-03
AS 2631-1983	Information processing - Self-loading cartridges for 12.7 mm wide magnetic tape	IT-001	2006-07-29
AS 1341-1982	Information processing - Unpunched paper tape	IT-001	2006-07-29
AS 3601-1988	Information processing - Volume and file structure of CD-ROM for information interchange	IT-001	2006-07-29
AS 3513-1987	Information processing systems - Data communication - High-level data link control balanced classes of procedures - Data-link layer address resolution/negotiation in switched environments	IT-001	2006-07-29
AS 3511-1987	Information processing systems - Data communication - Multilink procedures	IT-001	2006-07-29
AS 3631.1-1989	Information processing systems - Data interchange on 90 mm flexible disk cartridge using modified frequency modulation recording at 7958 ftprad on 80 tracks on each side Dimensional, physical and magnetic characteristics	IT-001	2006-07-29
AS 3631.2-1989	Information processing systems - Data interchange on 90 mm flexible disk cartridge using modified frequency modulation recording at 7958 ftprad on 80 tracks on each side Track format	IT-001	2006-07-29
AS 3616-1989	Information processing systems - Open Systems Interconnection - Connection oriented presentation protocol specification	IT-001	2006-07-29
AS 3615-1989	Information processing systems - Open Systems Interconnection - Connection oriented presentation service definition	IT-001	2006-07-29
AS 3622-1989	Information processing systems - Open Systems Interconnection - Internal organization of the network layer	IT-001	2006-07-29
AS 3620-1989	Information processing systems - Open Systems Interconnection - Service conventions	IT-001	2006-07-29
AS 4033.3-1992	Information technology - Text communication - Message-oriented text interchange systems Abstract service definition conventions	IT-001	2006-07-03
AS 4033.8-1998	Information Technology - Text communication - Message-oriented text interchange systems Electronic data interchange messaging service	IT-001	2006-07-03
AS 4033.9-1998	Information technology - Text communication - Message-oriented text interchange systems Electronic data interchange messaging system	IT-001	2006-07-03
AS 4033.7-1992	Information technology - Text communication - Message-oriented text interchange systems Interpersonal messaging system	IT-001	2006-07-03
AS 4033.5-1998	Information technology - Text communication - Message-oriented text interchange systems Message store - Abstract service definition	IT-001	2006-07-03
AS 4033.4-1992	Information technology - Text communication - Message-oriented text interchange systems Message transfer system - Abstract service definition and procedures	IT-001	2006-07-03
AS 4033.2-1992	Information technology - Text communication - Message-oriented text interchange systems Overall architecture	IT-001	2006-07-03
AS 4033.6-1992	Information technology - Text communication - Message-oriented text interchange systems Protocol specifications	IT-001	2006-07-03
AS 4033.1-1992	Information technology - Text communication - Message-oriented text interchange systems System and service overview	IT-001	2006-07-03
AS 2250-1979	Office machines and data processing equipment - Keyboard layouts for numeric applications	IT-001	2006-07-03
AS 2546.3-1988	Printed boards Design and use	IT-001	2006-07-29
AS 2546.0-1987	Printed boards Terms and definitions	IT-001	2006-07-29
AS 2570-1982	Printing specifications for optical character recognition	IT-001	2006-07-29
AS 2797-1985	Programming language - Minimal BASIC	IT-001	2006-07-29
AS 1305.1-1974	Punched tape for data interchange General requirements	IT-001	2006-07-29
AS 2948.1-1987	Solderless connections Solderless wrapped connections - General requirements, test methods and practical guidance	IT-001	2006-07-29
AS 1070-1971	The definition of 4-bit character sets derived from the Australian Standard 7-bit coded character set	IT-001	2006-07-29
AS 1244-1972	Unpunched paper cards for information interchange	IT-001	2006-07-29
AS 1072.1-1973	Unrecorded magnetic tapes for instrumentation applications General and dimensional requirements	IT-001	2006-07-29
AS 1072.2-1974	Unrecorded magnetic tapes for instrumentation applications Physical properties and test methods	IT-001	2006-07-29
AS 3525-1988	Bank cards - Magnetic stripe data content for Track 3	IT-005	2006-07-29
AS 2805.8-1986	Electronic funds transfer - Requirements for interfaces Financial institution message content	IT-005	2006-07-29
AS 2805.7-1986	Electronic funds transfer - Requirements for interfaces POS message content	IT-005	2006-07-29
AS 3524-1988	Identification cards - Financial transaction cards	IT-005	2006-07-29
AS 3659-1989	Securities - International Securities Identification Numbering system (ISIN)	IT-005	2006-07-29
AS 3656-1989	Computer graphics - Graphical Kernel System for three dimensions (GKS-3D) functional description	IT-006	2006-08-18
AS 3643.1-1989	Computer graphics - Initial graphics exchange specification (IGES) for digital exchange of product definition data General	IT-006	2006-08-18
AS 3643.2-1992	Computer graphics - Initial graphics exchange specification (IGES) for digital exchange of product definition data - Subset of AS 3643.1 - Two-dimensional drawings for architectural, engineering and construction (AEC) industries	IT-006	2006-08-18
AS 1114.1-1985	Numerical control of machines Data format for positioning, line motion and contouring control equipment	IT-006	2006-08-18
AS 1115-1985	Numerical control of machines - Axis and motion nomenclature	IT-006	2006-08-18
AS P4-1968	Commercial forms	IT-008	2006-08-18
AS P5-1969	Punching patterns for round holes used in files and loose leaf binders	IT-008	2006-08-18
AS 3521-1988	Identification cards - Physical characteristics	IT-012	2006-07-29
AS 3522.1-1988	Identification cards - Recording technique Embossing	IT-012	2006-07-29
AS 3522.3-1988	Identification cards - Recording technique Location of embossed characters on ID-1 cards	IT-012	2006-07-29
AS 3522.4-1988	Identification cards - Recording technique Location of read-only magnetic tracks- Tracks 1 and 2	IT-012	2006-07-29
AS 3522.5-1988	Identification cards - Recording technique Location of read-write magnetic track - Track 3	IT-012	2006-07-29
AS 3522.2-1988	Identification cards - Recording technique Magnetic stripe	IT-012	2006-07-29
AS 1189.2-1982	Data processing - Vocabulary Arithmetic and logic operations	IT-015	2006-08-18
AS 1189.22-1987	Data processing - Vocabulary Calculators	IT-015	2006-08-18
AS 1189.13-1987	Data processing - Vocabulary Computer graphics	IT-015	2006-08-18
AS 1189.9-1985	Data processing - Vocabulary Data communication	IT-015	2006-08-18
AS 1189.21-1987	Data processing - Vocabulary Interfaces between process computers systems and technical processes	IT-015	2006-08-18
AS 1189.10-1982	Data processing - Vocabulary Operating techniques and facilities	IT-015	2006-08-18
AS 1189.15-1987	Data processing - Vocabulary Programming languages	IT-015	2006-08-18
AS 2645-1987	Information processing - Documentation symbols and conventions for data, program and system flowcharts, program network charts and systems resources charts	IT-015	2006-08-18
AS 3649-1990	Information processing - SGML support facilities - SGML document interchange format (SDIF)	IT-015	2006-08-18
AS 3514-1987	Information processing - Text and office systems - Standard generalized markup language (SGML)	IT-015	2006-08-18
AS 2742-1984	Information processing - Use of longitudinal parity to detect errors in information messages	IT-015	2006-08-18
AS 1340-1975	Symbols for SI units for systems with limited character sets	IT-015	2006-08-18
AS 2761-1989	Character sets and information coding - Control functions for 7-bit and 8-bit coded character sets	IT-027	2006-08-18
AS 2749-1985	Information processing - Basic mode control procedures for data communication systems	IT-027	2006-08-18
AS 2793.1-1985	Information processing - Coded character sets for text communication General information	IT-027	2006-08-18
AS 2793.2-1985	Information processing - Coded character sets for text communication Latin alphabetic and non-alphabetic graphic characters	IT-027	2006-08-18
AS 2760-1985	Text communication - Registration of graphic character subrepertoires	IT-027	2006-08-18
AS 1998-1977	A6 microfiche for engineering and other data (excluding computer output microfiche)	MS-004	2006-08-18
AS 3549-1989	Production typing tests	MS-016	2006-08-18
AS 1102.12-1984	Graphical symbols for electrotechnology Electric traction	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1102.101-1989	Graphical symbols for electrotechnology General information and general index	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.351-1978	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary Automatic control	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.131-1988	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary Electric and magnetic circuits	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.151-1988	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary Electric and magnetic devices	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.461-1988	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary Electric cables	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.826-1983	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary Electrical installations of buildings	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.302-1988	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary Electrical measuring instruments	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.446-1988	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary Electrical relays	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.581-1979	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary Electromechanical components for electronic equipment	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.303-1988	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary Electronic measuring instruments	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.531-1975	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary Electronic tubes	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.301-1988	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary General terms on measurements in electricity	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.601-1988	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary Generation, transmission and distribution of electricity - General	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.602-1988	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary Generation, transmission and distribution of electricity - Generation	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.604-1988	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary Generation, transmission and distribution of electricity - Operation	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.603-1988	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary Generation, transmission and distribution of electricity - Power system planning and management	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.605-1988	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary Generation, transmission and distribution of electricity - Substations	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.841-1988	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary Industrial electroheating	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.321-1988	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary Instrument transformers	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.471-1988	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary Insulators	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.845-1989	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary Lighting	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.101-1978	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary Mathematics	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.551-1983	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary Power electronics	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.881-1988	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary Radiology and radiological physics	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.521-1988	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary Semiconductor devices and integrated circuits	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.441-1985	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary Switchgear, controlgear and fuses	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.691-1975	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary Tariffs for electricity	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.371-1988	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary Telecontrol	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.431-1981	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary Transductors	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.726-1983	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary Transmission lines and waveguides	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.131-1988	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary - Electric and magnetic circuits	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.101-1978	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary - Mathematics	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.351-1978	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary - Automatic control	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.151-1988	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary - Electric and magnetic devices	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.461-1988	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary - Electric cables	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.826-1983	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary - Electrical installations of buildings	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.446-1988	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary - Electrical relays	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.581-1979	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary - Electromechanical components for electronic equipment	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.303-1988	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary - Electronic measuring instruments	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.531-1975	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary - Electronic tubes	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.301-1988	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary - General terms on measurements in electricity	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.601-1988	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary - Generation, transmission and distribution of electricity - General	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.602-1988	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary - Generation, transmission and distribution of electricity - Generation	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.604-1988	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary - Generation, transmission and distribution of electricity - Operation	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.603-1988	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary - Generation, transmission and distribution of electricity - Power system planning and management	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.605-1988	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary - Generation, transmission and distribution of electricity - Substations	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.321-1988	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary - Instrument transformers	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.471-1988	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary - Insulators	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.845-1989	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary - Lighting	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.881-1988	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary - Radiology and radiological physics	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.521-1988	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary - Semiconductor devices and integrated circuits	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.441-1985	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary - Switchgear, controlgear and fuses	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.691-1975	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary - Tariffs for electricity	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.371-1988	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary - Telecontrol	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.431-1981	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary - Transductors	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.726-1983	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary - Transmission lines and waveguides	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.841-1988	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary — Industrial electroheating	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.302-1988	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary Electrical measuring instruments	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1852.551-1983	International Electrotechnical Vocabulary Power electronics	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 3702-1989	Item designation in electrotechnology	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1046.1-1978	Letter symbols for use in electrotechnology General	TE-013	2006-08-18
AS 1046.2-1978	Letter symbols for use in electrotechnology Telecommunications and electronics	TE-013	2006-08-18

Movie designs better than the real thing?

Last Saturday I attended a talk by Gavin Tyrrell (aka "IronGav") on "designing for screen". This was organized by the Centre for New Media Arts at ANU and held ay the National Museum of Australia.

Gavin described the process for producing the images on computer screens in the movie "Superman Returns". One scene which got my attention was a fictional X-35 fighter jet tracking superman. The radar cockpit display was shown. Gavin explained that they developed this display from information for the real X-35 aircraft, but made it look more dramatic than the real thing for film use.

The X-35 was the prototype of the real F-35 aircraft, which Australia is considering buying. The Australian Defence Department has asked for input from University researchers on developing the F-35.

It occurred to me that not only computer scientists, but digital artists might assist, by designing the cockpit displays in the real aircraft. The skills used to quickly tell a story visually in a film could be used to quickly convey information to a pilot.

I suggested this at a talk I gave at the Australian Defence Force Academy on Monday on how to podcast from the F-35.

Inspiring bridges and tunnels

Last Thursday I attended the Canberra Engineering Wonders Forum, as part of science week. This will be on ABC Radio National "By Design" in a few weeks.

The panel was asked to nominate inspiring bridges and tunnels. They could think of lots of bridges but no tunnels.

The Sydney Anzac bridge must be one of the memorable bridges. Have a look at it from the air in fog.

At question time I asked about building a tunnel under the Himalayas to connect China to India, via Tibet. The tunnel expert said this was feasible. In "High Hopes As Tibet Railway Opens" (August 2006 International Railway Journal) Keith Barrow points out that there will only be a 100 km gap between the Indian and Chinese rail systems.

In terms of existing tunnels, the Channel Tunnel must be inspiring, for linking nations. Unfortunately it has not been a financial success. Also you do not actually see the tunnel, either the entrance portal nor tunnel walls, when travelling though it by train.

Belconnen to City Transitway Submission

The ACT Government asked for comment on building a bus way (later to be light rail) in Canberra. So I sent them a
submission.

I suggested Canberra plan a route for light rail, although it may never be built. In the short term a bus transit lane would be better. Also fixing the Bus Interchange would be good.

By the time light rail is an option for Canberra, other transport options, such as automatically guided electric vehicles may be available.

For more on the issues, see the link List discussion "RUF Dual Mode transport system" May and June.

Digital evidence for lawyers and IT professionals

On Friday I attended the first LawTechTalk seminar at UNSW:

The Cyberspace Law and Policy Centre at UNSW provides a focus for research, public interest advocacy and education on issues of law and policy concerning digital transactions in cyberspace. It is a Centre of the Faculty of Law at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia.

From About the Centre

"Digital evidence: Issues for lawyers, judges and scholars, and what's coming over the horizon... Stephen Mason, Director of the Digital Evidence Research Programme, British
Institute of International and Comparative Law ... "

Stephen's work on e-evidence is equally applicable to IT professionals as lawyers. You can download the slides of the presentation and some of his papers from the event announcement.

This article briefly outlines the case law in relation to manuscript signatures in England and Wales, putting the concept of manuscript signatures into historical perspective from the point of view of the common law. A short outline of the international framework for electronic signatures will follow, and consideration will be given to the three main concepts adopted by politicians in the form of legislation from across the world. The forms of electronic will be set out, and a number of practical and evidential issues will be taken into account. Relevant case law is considered throughout the article.

From Electronic Signatures in Practice, Stephen Mason, Journal of High Technology Law (JHTL), Volume VI: 2006

Dr Alathea Foster is alleged to have attacked Julie Simpson after discovering a series of emails on her husband John Foster's computer. She is also said to have recounted her state of mind in diary entries which were today read out to the court. ...

From E-mail trail that led wife to husband's lover, Lewis Smith for Times Online, April 24, 2006

A woman who stabbed her husband's ex-lover 17 times has been cleared of attempted murder but jailed for causing grievous bodily harm.

Alethea Foster, 61, of Bromley, south London, stabbed Cambridge University student Julie Simpson when she learned of their 15-year affair via e-mails. ...

From Wife jailed for love rival attack, BBC, 5 May 2006

The e-Signature Law Journal brings news, articles, legal developments and case reports to academics, practitioners and the industry in relation to electronic signatures from across the world. The journal also seeks to include reports on technical advances, book reviews and a calendar of events and conferences.

From e-Signature Law Journal

One quibble I have is over the use of the term "electronic signature". The digital signature" uses a cryptographic process, whereas an "electronic signature" is just about any sort of mark in an electronic document.

A quick web search shows that the term "digital signature" is four times as common as "electronic signature". But there is so much room for confusion between the two it might be better to drop the term "electronic signature" and just call them "signatures". If it is an electronic document you can infer that some sot of electronic signature is meant. The more specific term "digital signature" could continue to be used to indicate the cryptographic sort. In any case the definition of a "signature" is not as universal and fixed as might be expected.

Perhaps there will be a meeting of minds between lawyers, records managers and IT people on digital evidence. The IT people have been approaching the same issues from the point of view of implementing record management systems and the standards they are required to comply with. This will likely meet the lawyers as well.

It looks like the same "if it prints like a document, it is an e-document" applies in the USA and the UK as well as in Australian law.

I do expert witness work for lawyers on IT matters and had a recent electronic evidence is done. Another area of e-evidence is podcasting.

ps: One problem is that Stephen's British Institute of International and Comparative Law needs to fix their fellows page, as the link to his details is broken. Also UNSW needs a simpler map to find their new law building.

The building boasts two "Harvard style lecture theatres". These are horseshoe shaped rooms like miniature parliamentary debating chamber. Perhaps this is why so many lawyers feel at home in politics. ;-)

pps: I was little worried when Stephen mentioned that he used to be in bomb disposal. I thought this might be a reference to my carrying into ten seminar a bloc of what looked like 10kg of plastic explosive (it was actually pottery clay, but that is another story).