HOWTO: Skynet and Terminators

In the interest of National Security, it's time to hand our defense over to a massive automated defense system and automated soldiers. Thank goodness they are no longer just a dream. The plan:

Hardware

'The functions of Honda's humanoid robot are defined as follows: An operational system that autonomously performs typical operations under known circumstances. If an extraordinary operation is required under unknown circumstances, the robot will be supported by an operator... [The P3, 1,600mm in height and 130kg in weight, features a computer unit, motor-drive system, battery and wireless apparatus inside the body section. This more sophisticated robot can achieve freer movement, go up and down stairs and push a vehicle.]

[Future Development will focus on]:

  1. Further dimensional and weight reduction.
  2. Improved dynamic performance.
  3. Improved operability.
For items 2 and 3, it is extremely important that through the evolution of hardware we achieve physical autonomy by improving dynamic performance and adaptability to wider variations of working conditions. Also important is the pursuit of studies in artificial intelligence systems, which will provide the solution for improved autonomy.'

- Honda Corporation
Software

'The Cyc product family is powered by an immense multi-contextual knowledge base and an efficient inference engine. The knowledge base is built upon a core of over 1,000,000 hand-entered assertions (or "rules") designed to capture a large portion of what we normally consider consensus knowledge about the world. For example, Cyc knows that trees are usually outdoors, that once people die they stop buying things, and that glasses of liquid should be carried rightside-up.'
- Cycorp Corporation
Action 
Ms. Mary Sheperd
Cycorp, Inc.
3721 Executive Center Driver, Suite 100
Austin, TX 78731-1615

RE: Proposal (Control Number: 2.25) BAA 02-08
Dear Ms. Sheperd:

DARPA has completed the evaluation phase of the review of your
proposal entitled "Terrorism Knowledge Base" submitted in response to
BAA 02-08.  We are pleased to notify you that this proposal has been
reviewed and has been selected for funding.

Sincerely,
Dr. John M. Poindexter
Director, Information Awareness Office

- Defense Advanced Research Project Agency's project "BAA 02-08" Contract Award (page 5)