Emily Chang – Designer

Cyberfeminism is the theme of the current issue of ArtWomen, an online journal of feminist art. Contributing writers are Carolyn Guertin, Maria Fernandez, Cindy Gabriela Flores and the cyberfeminist cell subRosa, giving four perspectives on the current status of cyberfeminism and art. As well as discussing specific artists and their work, the articles explore race, tactical cyberfeminism, reproductive technologies and Latin American cyberfeminist art. The links accompanying each article and further cyberfeminist links could keep a grrl surfing for weeks. And don’t forget to have a look around the rest of the ArtWomen site, which includes an online gallery, news and archives. – Helen Varley Jamieson

http://www.artwomen.org/cyberfems/index.htm

Max and I are off to celebrate the new year with a dual part adventure.  First, we’re heading up to the High Peaks region of the Adirondacks for camping, snowshoeing, and hiking in a winter wonderland.  Then, it’s off to Montreal for three days for city fun.  Happy 2004!

Nothing can compare to spending a week during Christmas with my family and Max playing mahjong, talking, lounging about, and eating real gourmet food (mom’s).

Metro platform at DCA airport.

I ran out of time to do a 30 second commercial for the moveon.org contest, but over 1000 other people managed to squeeze it in!  I can’t wait to watch these over the holidays.  Go now, sign up, vote.  The winning commercial will be televised during the week of the President’s state of the union address in January.

“It’s your turn to fight back against the propaganda being beamed at you by the current administration’s media mavens.”

Cast your voite at www.bushin30seconds.org/

Newscasters seemed to be mocking Sony’s child-shaped walking robot that can now jog.  Personally, I think it’s amazing that the robot can now actually jump and lift itself off the ground.

Sony shows off jogging robot
A small step for a Sony robot could turn out to be a giant leap for robotkind.  Sony has showed a new version of its Qrio robot that can jog at a top speed of 14 metres per minute.  Running is a much more difficult task for a robot to perform as both of the machine’s feet must be off the floor at the same time.

Sony said the Qrio jogging robot was the result of three years of work but that it had no plans to put it on sale like the Aibo robot dog.

Moving machine
The robot, which was previously known as the SDR, has previously been shown walking, climbing a shallow slope, kicking a ball and dancing.  Now Sony has updated the robot, which is usually shown off at trade shows and corporate events, to run slowly for a short distance.  If the 58cm high robot were human-sized, it would be able to run at a speed of about 2.4km/h (1.5mph).

In the demonstration the robot started at a slow walk, slowly accelerated to a slow jog and then slowed down to walking speed again.  During that time both of its feet were off the ground for four one-hundredths of a second.  “As humans we find running and walking extremely easy,” said Toshi Doi, Sony Executive Vice-President.  “But for a humanoid robot to run and walk may not sound that exciting, but please remember what a big surprise it was when the first bipedal robots walked.” Sony said it had to make changes to the robot’s joints and central processor to make the jump and keep it upright while jogging.

Qrio has on board two digital cameras that help its learn about its surroundings and recognise up to 10 faces.  The tiny jump puts Sony ahead of Honda which has shown off its Asimo robot that, so far, can only walk.  Sony has enjoyed huge success with its Aibo robot dog and has sold more than 130,000 units of that technological pet.

Story from BBC NEWS

Heading up to Syracuse tonight, then driving with JH to conduct a usability test with students in Red Creek, NY.  Interested to see their reactions to the interfaces.

Didn’t want to return to the real world after seeing Sofia Coppola’s Lost in Translation.  Pursuing the dreamy movie mood, we walked out of the theater into a crisp winter night.  Snow fell lightly as we crossed the street for appetizers and red wine at Simeon’s.