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Thoughts:
Thu Apr 10 2008-- The real world...
"Special Weapons Observation Remote Reconnaissance Direct Action System" (SWORDS) Meaning? Oh, bomb-disposal robots armed with gas-operated, air-cooled M249 light machine guns (LMG). Holy snapping duck-shit! gun toting, insurgent-slaying robots.
Apparently, there was "an incident" where "the gun started moving when it was not intended to move," meaning it totally pointed somewhere it wasn't supposed to—like at friendlies, which resulted in recall from the field and might've set the program back 10-20 years, according to the Army's Program Executive Officer for Ground Forces, Kevin Fahey. He stated that no inappropriate shots were fired, so officially, no one was hurt (Ed-209 anyone?) .
On the upside, this means humanity has a good 1 to 2 decades before the mechs rise up against us. Foster Miller Inc. (creators of the gun totin', insurgent-slaying robots) rejects the above statement, stating there have been NO instances of uncommanded or unexpected movements by SWORDS robots, whether in-theater or elsewhere, since before their safety confirmation in 2006. (In 2006, during the robot's developmental stage, there were 3 minor movement issues involving the treads that were identified, addressed and fixed during rigorous stateside testing. The robots were safety certified, and 3 were subsequently sent to Iraq. They were NEVER "abruptly withdrawn" from Iraq and stayed in-theater until 2009 (obviously any operations performed by these droids whilst on active service is classified or at least shrouded by the fog of war).
Now, from the same company, we have robots built from the ground up to be killing machines. Think of them as a very early version of the T-1000.
The new MAARS® (Modular Advanced Armed Robotic System) bots should get to see some action. it's a new modular design to rhe popular family of TALON® robots for military and first responders. MAARS® uses the more powerful the turret mounted M240B medium machine gun and has significant improvements in command and control, situational awareness, maneuverability, mobility, lethality and safety compared to its SWORDS predecessor. MAARS® and SWORDS are ROV's (remotely operated vehicles). They are not autonomous.They can connect to the same GPS network as the troops, and it's got an extra fail-safe that won't allow it to fire at its control unit (that wasn't there before?!). The modular part of its name comes from the fact that the tracks can be swapped out for wheels and the gun can be swapped out for a manipulator arm with a nominal 120 lb lift capability. The purpose-built MAARS® chassis provides a uni-body frame with easier battery and electronics accessibility. Other features include a larger payload bay, higher torque, creating faster ground speeds and improved braking. The new Digital Control Unit (DCU) significantly improves command and control and situational awareness for the operator resulting in greater safety margins. The complete system weighs about 350 pounds. Additional modules currently under development include a logistics basket for carrying gear and a battlefield recovery module that can be used as a stretcher.
June 2002 AD --
The Magna Science Centre, U.K : A grand experiment in artificial life involving tiny robots who roam around feeding on “light trees” that recharge tiny solar cells on their tiny “heads”. These little photovores live in perfect harmony with one another, grazing together in the glow of electric flora. GAAK is not one of these robots. GAAK is a “predator” robot who feeds on these harmless little “prey” robots. GAAK stalks the prey robots using a variety of sensor arrays around his metal hide. Like a lion sniffing out its next kill, GAAK scouts out his environment for the sustenance he so desperately needs. When GAAK captures his prey, he uses a “tusk” to spear his prey and drain some of its energy. Whilst set aside in a makeshift paddock, GAAK began contemplating his lot. Perhaps he was tired of the carnage, or perhaps he was overcome by the futility of it all, or maybe he was just bored. Whatever the reason, GAAK did something completely unexpected. He escaped. He broke through the barricades and made his bid for freedom. He was found later by a visitor in the parking lot who nearly ran GAAK over with his car. |
Client : David Gould Studios --A computer animation and live-action film production company based on the Gold Coast, Australia. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1517613/
Brief : Create colour sheets and a unique style of texture painting for the characters, sets, and props for the animated short film Awaken.
Medium : Digital : Texture painting created in Cinema 4D and Adobe Photoshop CS3 then exported to Maya 8.5
Technique : Create brushes. Go for a painted dry brush look.
Notes : Set in a future world of 'arms-based contingency operations' between human and robot factions. A lone robotic soldier, isolated on an island relay station, learns that life is precious. It's newfound convictions are put to the test at the film's climax.
Awaken was nominated for the Best Achievement in Sound for an Animated Short Film or Program at the Australian Screen Sound Awards 2009. Congrats to Regatta Studios for their awesome sound design and mixing.
Awaken has been selected for Short Film Corner, Festival de Cannes.
Running Time / Duration : 14:44:14 (14 mins 45 secs)
Completion Date : 14th August, 2009
Genre : 3D-Animation/Adventure
Copyright : © 2009 David Gould Studios
Screening Format : PAL Widescreen DVD (Dolby 5.1) /
NTSC Widescreen DVD (Dolby 5.1)Digitbeta PAL / Digibeta NTSC
Running Time / Duration : 14:44:14 (14 mins 45 secs)
Country of Production : Australia
Film Website : http://www.awakenmovie.com
Shooting Format : 3D Computer Animation
Screen Ratio : 1.77 (16:9 Widescreen)
Sound : Dolby Digital (5.1)