It’s surprisingly transfixing watching robots – great, lumbering, 7ft-tall humanoids – trying to walk and use power tools and drive a car. But it’s not the only spectator sport on hand at the DARPA Robotic Challenge.
There’s also spot-the-billionaire.
The first one I clock is Larry Page, co-founder of Google, who walks right in front of me leading his young son by the hand.
“Larry!” I say, but then hesitate. I’m not sure how this question will end. “Is Google planning to build a race of superbots that will take over the earth?” is perhaps too bold an opener. “Could I just … ?” I say but he simply smiles and walks away.
Given that Google bought multiple AI and robotics companies 18 months ago on a secret shopping…..
