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Well folks, I've been invigorated in part by remembering how much I enjoy keeping Generation5 going and in part by Dr. Simon Cogan - so thanks to him.

I hope you like the new-look Generation5 - I've actually greatly simplified some things, taken away some features (like member functionality, customizable front page etc.) and focused on making articles more readable, easier to print and easier to access. The new toolbar will hopefully help you all navigate around the site a bit better too.

Please excuse the mess while everything is updated, there may still be a few creases to iron out! As always, feedback is greatly appreciated!

Hmm, it is a little embarrassing that the last entry that claims I'll be reviving my efforts on Generation5 was a little over a year ago!

Nevertheless, I felt it was important to post to say Happy New Year and that I really am hoping 2007 will see a revival in Generation5. Perhaps not the full reviews and interviews aspect, but definitely in articles and news. For those of you that do want to contact me, please use my work e-mail address as Generation5's has fallen under the burden of spam.

My new job has made it very hard to update the site regularly, and the free time I do have I don't feel compelled to spend in front of a computer! A variety of business trips, lack of internet at home (temporary!), a fried laptop, and running Windows Vista/IE7 on my work machine has conspired to make it very hard to update the site and check my e-mail.

I most definitely plan on reviving my efforts, fulfilling my promise of giving away my AIBO, and continuing to provide the 400,000 of you a month that come to Gen5 for AI content.

There is a good chance that Gen5 front page will move more toward a blog, with me posting articles and AI movements that I find interesting, while maintaining the fantastic community provided content people still send.

I'm keen to migrate the JDK to .NET, making AI concepts quicker to prototype and visualize, but this will definitely be an ongoing project!

I do apologize for the lack of updates, my bouncing e-mail and not following up the AIBO competition - it will all happen, just in time! In the meantime, I'm pretty sure the only person that has read the 400 or so articles on this site is me, so feel free to peruse the site!

The Digital Media Collaboratory and the Dept. of Computer Sciences at the University of Texas at Austin are pleased to announce the release of the NeuroEvolving Robotic Operatives (NERO) video game on Thursday, June 23rd at nerogame.org. NERO integrates cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning research into a commercial-grade video game to produce an entirely novel gaming experience. It is the result of almost two years of work by a mostly volunteer team of over 30 student programmers, artists, and researchers at the University.

Infinity Ward, winner of over 80 Game of the Year and 47 Editors’ Choice Awards Worldwide for "Call of Duty," is currently developing the highly anticipated Call of Duty 2 for the PC and Xbox 360. In addition, we are ramping up teams for upcoming new titles. To meet the challenge and expectations for these high-end development platforms, Infinity Ward is looking for seasoned console engineers to join its ranks. A talented team, an exciting work environment, competitive compensation, and strong royalty bonus await those people who are interested in creating cutting edge games on both the PC and all of the new next-generation console platforms.

• China's 1st household robot by 2005
• Roomba Tweak for Neat Freaks
• Japanese robot guards to patrol shops, offices
• `Bionic' arm brings back sense of touch
• HOW-TO Get the most out of your Sony AIBO
• Singing benches let loose in city

Anyway, here are your links for the week:

• Expo robots still not ready for everyday life - Incredible looking robot on display.
• AFP Japan unveils "robot suit" that enhances human power - AFP article, pretty neat picture.
• Robot Request: Give Me Some Skin - NASA developing sensitive covering considered important for human-machine collaboration in space exploration.
• High-tech soldier unveiled - Remote-controlled robot with a machine gun.
• Self-wiring supercomputer is cool and compact - Research in Edinburgh with FPGAs.
• IBM Computers to Create Virtual Brain - IBM and EPFL will start construction of a digital brain.
• Linux Powers Airborne Bots - British researchers are turning to Linux and embedded processors to build a fleet of tiny, robotic helicopters capable of swarming like angry bees and evaluating their surroundings with a single hive mind.
• iRobot co-founder comes clean - Interview with Helen Greiner.
• Translation software aims to cut through babble - Discusses Language Weaver's technology and future.