(Moisture) Farming with Droids

A new article predicts that once the FAA clears unmanned use of the national airspace (currently scheduled to occur in 2015), the vast majority of commercial uses will be in connection with farming. The Daily Beast estimates that a typical farming droid will cost under $10,000, and can pay for itself in short order.

No word on whether any farmers will have need for a protocol droid. 

"These aren't the droids you're looking for..."

Pretty interesting video from Honda Motors this morning (accompanying story found here) showing a man controlling an Asimo robot -- with just his thoughts! (Jump to 2:32 of the video)

The helmet-like device measures electrical currents and/or blood flow on the scalp based on brain activity; it then transmits that information to the robot. Note that the company did not allow a "live" demonstration of the technology because of concerns about distractions or other difficulties in 'reading' the subject's thoughts.

While the demonstration above is rudimentary, the implications have far-ranging impact. And not just for Stars Wars fans.

It's also more evidence of the importance that Japan is placing on robotics as the key to its technological future, from introduction of fashion model-robots, robo-nurses to other household uses.