The ability to make decisions is seen as one of the most important intellectual abilities for humans and animals. Now Japanese scientists claim that an inanimate objects such as an iron bar is capable of gathering information about its surroundings to make a'decision' too. They believe their study has implications for understanding how lower life forms function. Japanese scientists claim that inanimate objects such as an iron bar are capable of gathering information about their surroundings to make a decision. Song-Ju Kim, of National Institute for Materials Science, Tsukuba, told Phys.org: 'The most important implication that we wish to claim is that the proposed scheme will provide a new perspective for understanding the information-processing principles of certain lower forms of life.

Drones get some bad press, with many associating them with a dystopian future defined by war and surveillance. But now a company is trying to make drones more popular - and in the process improving aerial photography so you can take selfies from the air. The Fotokite Phi is a drone on a leash that you can lead around just like a pet and is now available for pre-order as part of crowdfunding campaign. On a tight leash: 'The Fotokite's tether (pictured) provides a safer, more direct way to fly. It enables close-proximity operations and the tether provides visual accountability for bystanders and property owners,' the Swiss start-up said The drone is now on sale with prices starting at $249 (£159) and can be pre-ordered on their Indiegogo crowdfunding page.

Researchers have found a Turkish language based on whistles is unique as it uses both sides of the brain. Generally speaking, language processing is a job for the brain's left hemisphere, whether it is spoken, written, or signed. However, researchers have discovered an exception to this rule: whistled Turkish. Whistled Turkish is Turkish that has been adapted into a series of whistles. This method of communicating was popular before the advent of telephones, and can travel up to 90m away.

Artificial intelligence could be a reality within years, rather than decades, scientists have said. Elon Musk recently warned AI has the potential to be as dangerous to mankind as nuclear weapons. But is there hope for artificial intelligence in the form of religion? And could faith allow AI to do more good than harm? Elon Musk recently warned AI has the potential to be as dangerous to mankind as nuclear weapons.

Self-aware robots with deadly intentions are a staple in sci-fi films. Now scientists have proved a robot can show a glimmer of consciousness – but luckily this android is polite. In an experiment a small humanoid solved a philosophical problem to demonstrate it could understand a question and then recognise its own voice. Scientists have proved a robot can show a glimmer of consciousness. In an experiment, Nao bots were programmed to think two of them took'dumbing pills'.

Artificial intelligence is progressing at a frightening pace leading humanity towards its ultimate destruction. This is according to British theoretical astrophysicist, Sir Martin Rees, who believes we are facing an'inorganic post-human era'. By some estimates, he says, the process will begin in the next 25 years as robots begin to achieve intelligence rivalling that of humans. The British Astronomer Royal, Sir Martin Rees, believes that we are facing an'inorganic post-human era' in which robot intelligence will surpass that of people, leading to humanity's ultimate destruction Sir Martin, who is one of the world's most eminent astronomers, says that while Earth has existed for 45 million centuries, this century is special. Over nearly all of Earth's history, threats have come from nature, but from now on, the worst dangers come from us – and specifically artificial intelligence.

Cats and dogs could soon be replaced with robots, one leading expert has claimed. It is believed that the global growth in population will lead to real animals being only for the super-rich. A Melbourne professor warns the global growth in population will lead to real animals being only for the super-rich. Paro, a robotic baby seal, is being used in the USA as therapy for medical patients. Virtual worlds, where people can own animals, have been very successful - HappyFarm had 23 million users every day at its peak.

A humanoid robot named Yangyang is the latest to be revealed in China. Dressed in a full-length coat, the android can display a wide range of facial expressions and can speak, move its head, and raise its hands to greet people convincingly. And the machine bears an uncanny - yet apparently accidental - resemblance to former Governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin. Yangyang is one of a number of impressively realistic robots to be unveiled at the Global Mobile Internet Conference (GMIC) 2015 in Beijing, China. The android was produced jointly by China's Shanghai Yangyang Intelligent Robot Science Service Centre and renowned Japanese robotics professor Hiroshi Ishiguro, who has created some of the world's most eerily lifelike androids.

Robots will use humans as pets once they achieve a subset of artificial intelligence known as'superintelligence'. This is according to SpaceX-founder Elon Musk who claims that when computers become smarter than people, they will treat them like'pet Labradors'. His comments were made in a recent interview with scientist Neil deGrasse Tyson, who added that computers could choose to breed docile humans and eradicate the violent ones. SpaceX-founder Elon Musk (right) says robots will someday treat humans like pets.In a recent interview with scientist Neil deGrasse Tyson (left), Musk said his fears revolve around'superintelligence' Musk: 'I mean, we won't be like a pet Labrador if we're lucky,' Musk said. Or something strange is going to happen.' Tyson: 'They'll keep the docile humans and get rid of the violent ones.

Teachers may soon be able to lecture pupils, view their work and help them with any problems without ever stepping foot in the classroom. A school in Columbus Ohio has introduced a new robo-teacher into its classrooms to allow staff in other parts of the country to teach their pupils. The 4ft (1.2 metre) tall robot features a screen that broadcasts a video of the teacher's face and a camera allows the teacher to see what is going on in the classroom. A school in Columbus Ohio has introduced a new robo-teacher into its classrooms to allow staff in other parts of the country to teach their pupils. The 4ft (1.2 metre) tall robot features a screen that broadcasts a video of the teacher's face and a camera allows the teacher to see what is going on in the classroom Thomas Fetch, a social studies teacher at Nexus Academy of Columbus is one of the first to trial the robot, controlling it from his computer more than 1,600 miles (2,570km) away in Arizona.