LATEST TECHNOLOGY: ROBOTS VIII : Finally, someone teaches dogs to play poker

IF you think you can't teach an old dog new tricks, think again — students from Griffith University have developed a poker-playing robot puppy.
Information technology students Nicholas Dahm and Mark Johnson taught a Sony Artificial Intelligence Robot (AIBO) – a programmable robotic dog – to play poker against humans.
The project, titled MiPal AIBO Texas Hold 'Em, was part of Griffith University's Student Expo, held yesterday at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
To create an "intelligent" poker player, the students developed two separate modules, which could analyse the robot's hand as well as its opponent's behaviour.
But although it may beat the average journalist in a game of poker, it had not yet reached a level to challenge the professionals.
Mr Dahm said the robot was first dealt a hand, then the data from this was fed through either a wireless connection linked to a computer or through its voice-recognition system.

"It works on emotional feedback to give it a more real response," he said.
"It will wag its tail if it has a good hand although it may also wag its tail when it is bluffing to throw the opponent off."
Sony's AIBO pets were released in 1999. They are able to see via a camera, interact with their owner's voice, walk, wag their tail and a host of other tricks.
The robots can be programmed to learn additional skills and movements – leading to their entry in competitions like the RoboCup Four-Legged Robot Soccer League.
In 2006 Sony announced it would discontinue making the robotic pets.