Robot dogs fetch public interest for fusion energy
Robot dogs have joined Britain’s STEP fusion team at the Lincolnshire Show, where they impressed visitors by walking, posing and resisting every available livestock tent. Science has rarely looked so likely to chase a ball.
STEP plans a prototype fusion plant at West Burton. Robotics could help with operations inside the facility, where sit and stay will require a slightly more detailed safety document.
The naming process approaches a national emergency
The public can suggest names for the two machines. Consequently, a fusion programme now rests on whether Britain chooses Atlas and Nova or Barky McLaserface twice.
“They are sophisticated industrial platforms,” said Professor Digby Socket Woof of Synthetic Walkies. “Please stop asking which one ate the reactor homework. That matter remains with the appropriate chew resistant committee.”
Fusion aims to reproduce the process that powers stars. Meanwhile, the machines have mastered the equally difficult task of attracting a crowd beside an information board about engineering careers.
The sausage roll becomes a security risk
The pair could eventually support work in demanding areas. Their immediate task is demonstrating clean energy technology without becoming emotionally attached to a man holding a sausage roll.
After the show, both recruits passed their good boy review. They then ignored a nine billion pound stick because nobody had completed the procurement form and the stick lacked a risk assessment.
The energy programme has promised careful development. The robots have promised nothing, which is sensible because they have not yet received names and remain technically entitled to judge us.
Read the real story: The STEP team’s report on its mechanical canine ambassadors.
