Behold the billionth repository created on GitHub. It’s absolutely perfect.

We have a hideously-ugly 3D printed prototype! 🎉

Video explains: https://youtu.be/7RgjXVU8XGU

Big update on our quest to create an #OpenHardware people counter to measure & improve how scientists forage for information in poster sessions.

Prettier, better device to follow. All designs/code on GitHub.
#betterposter

Dear US friends, the way things are going, you might want to start thinking of a plan B if you want to keep your academic freedoms. Here's a handy link to all open academic positions in Sweden. Just run it through automatic translate, most positions would not require knowledge of Swedish.
https://arbetsformedlingen.se/platsbanken/annonser?p=5:NNK9_F1o_pK5;5:Gm5j_S2Y_aTB;5:cYCo_PxY_zQd;5:RPBE_x5M_cXX

Hear me out:

A fundraiser to help Elmo achieve his dream of relocating to Mars as soon as possible 🤔

🤔 Have you heard of Behavior Trees?

Yes or No, it does not matter! Come and help us evaluate their interpretability by answering to this survey, designed and conducted by two Ph.D. students at Örebro University :

https://aass.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8BUxd8OmcrIGo8m

⏳Approximate completion time : 15 minutes.

The answers are pseudonymous and your inputs would be very valuable, even (more) if you have never heard of behavior trees before.
🙏Boosts appreciated.

🫶Thanks for your help!

#research #gamedev

Perhaps this SUV thought: since I'm destroying climate and endangering pedestrians, I might as well simply use two parking spaces.

I was once told in all sincerity that it's arrogant to begrudge someone who might have dreamt of such a vehicle their SUV. We scientists, I was told, are out of touch with people and lack empathy.

I guess - if only one ignores the suffering caused by our degradation of Earth, our only habitat.

On Monday (16th Dec) at 09:30 CET some of my students will take part in the WARA Robotics challenge at ABB in Sweden. The challenge will be streamed live on https://www.youtube.com/@waspresearchprogram1081 and should be quite interesting to watch, I hope. If you are curious, the task is to unload a tray full of semi-transparent glassware and stack them on a simulated dish-washing rack, with an eye on applications in lab automation. Tune in and support your favorite robots 😀
PS: re-post appreciated!

@mikemorrison Awesome! Glad to have been of help Mike, and I am really looking forward to your insights. Taking the opportunity to also say thank you for the great videos you put up about poster design, I make all my PhD students sit through them 😀

X is short for MAGA
https://eprints.qut.edu.au/253211/
Researchers find Twitter changed its algorithm to promote posts from Elon Musk and Republicans in the run-up to the election.

"The date at which (the spike) in engagement occurs coincides with Elon Musk's formal endorsement of Donald Trump on 13th July 2024."
#elonmusk #Election2024 #twitter #trump

@mikemorrison
Take a look over here: https://github.com/VisualComputingInstitute/2D_lidar_person_detection

This is what you can get to with a laser scanner, with a modern machine learning method hooked in. There are also reasonably low-cost 2D laser scanners you could take a look at (e.g. this one: https://www.robotshop.com/products/ldrobot-dtof-lidar-stl-27l) and they should connect easily over USB. Best to check with someone doing people tracking who might be interested in assisting you though.

@mikemorrison the most popular row: right next to the coffee / refreshments table 😀
I think a lot of people would be interested in this kind of data also for other uses, in robotics in particular. Maybe a low-cost laser scanner that can track people's trajectories over time would be the next step. Looking forward to your insights!

🚨Announcing new #OpenHardware project to measure traffic patterns in scientific poster sessions (w/anonymous & IRB-safe data).

The single most powerful thing we can do to improve poster sessions is create better measures.

Details & how you can test/contribute:
https://buff.ly/3ApYVNi

White-throated sparrow / borb during the snow in January.

Nikon z6ii, f/8, 1/800s, ISO 2000, 700mm, gimbal and tripod.
#BackyardBirding #Birds #BirdPhotography

Yes, this brings the CDC guidelines for COVID into line with guidelines for RSV and influenza.

It's not just that is COVID more severe. The guidelines for RSV and influenza are not right either. We need universal paid sick leave, not permission to return to work while still contagious.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/13/health/covid-isolation-cdc.html?unlocked_article_code=1.VU0.jViR.n7R1fvDM_WEv&smid=url-share

@oliverbatchelor @brohrer Same issues with clutter, but a different outcome. The sheer dissonance of an empty space anywhere on a shelf immediately would trigger a minor panic that something's wrong 😂

From the personality test I’m developing:
The sight of an empty bookshelf makes you feel

Just gonna leave this here.

No notes

Our team at Orebro University is growing and we are looking for 3 new #postdocs in #robotics, focusing on learning from demonstrations, reinforcement learning, planning or intention communication and interaction. Apply by *1st of February* More info below or DM me
https://www.oru.se/english/career/available-positions/job/?jid=20230399
Please boost to your networks :)