Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 18:33 — 13.1MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | RSS | More
As of yet, no humans have made it to Mars. However, many of our spacecraft, landers and rovers have. Join us as we take a little look at a few missions, and a large look at what we’ve learned about our neighbor, the red planet.
Continue reading Ep 327: The Martian robotic invasion
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 17:55 — 12.5MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | RSS | More
Most of the early missions to Mars failed, but by the mid-70s, orbiters circled the red planet, and some landers sat safely on its surface. We also have a look at a few Martian mirages, when astronomers squinting threw telescopes saw things that weren’t actually there.
Continue reading Ep 326: Hit and miss missions to Mars
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 21:52 — 15.3MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | RSS | More
The smallest planet in our solar system is also the fastest and closest to our sun. In fact, on occasion, the sun will reverse direction in Mercury’s skies. Join us for a look at this good thing in a small package.
Continue reading Ep 325: Of time and tides and Mercury
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 16:25 — 11.4MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | RSS | More
Humans have never been to Venus, and a good thing too. Judging by the wreckage of failed automated missions, the Goddess of love, loves to eat robots.
Continue reading Ep 324: The Venus bot trap
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 14:16 — 9.9MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | RSS | More
We’re combining and continuing our episodes on robots, automation, space and space travel with a look at what robots have been up to while orbiting our planet.
Continue reading Ep 323: Robots orbiting the Earth
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 19:04 — 13.6MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | RSS | More
With a side trip to the largest robots in the world, we talk about robots used for search and rescue, and some very small robots being developed to fight illness.
Continue reading Ep 322: Robots, saving lives and curing cancer
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 17:58 — 12.9MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | RSS | More
In honor of Halloween, we get just a little bit spooky this week. With more and more robots in the world, and with said robots becoming smarter over time, what happens if they turn against us and start to harm humans? In fact, it has already happened.
Continue reading Ep 321: The robot apocalypse is nigh
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 20:43 — 14.6MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | RSS | More
We get to robot brains today, including an early neural network, made from analog circuits, instead of digital.
Continue reading Ep 320: Should robots think for themselves?
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 14:35 — 10.1MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | RSS | More
From the birth of wireless, to the first industrial robot—it’s about time we put these robots to work.
Continue reading Ep 319: Hey robot, get a job!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 17:38 — 12.3MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | RSS | More
The discovery of vacuum was strangely pivotal in the history of science and technology. From steam engines to electronics, we talk about the power of nothing.
Continue reading Ep 318: Much to say about nothing