How These Self-Aware Robots Are Redefining Consciousness

What does it mean for a robot to be self-aware? That's exactly what this robotics lab is investigating as they embark on a quest towards artificial consciousness.

By Seeker

Published on 10/21/2019 at 1:44 PM

Our scientific understanding of the universe is advancing at an unprecedented rate. Join Focal Point as we meet the people building tomorrow’s world. Witness the astonishing discoveries that will propel humanity forward and zero-in on the places where science-fiction becomes science-reality.

More Videos

The Next Space Frontier Starts With Mining the Moon
Focal Point
S5 E17

The Next Space Frontier Starts With Mining the Moon

NASA's quest to explore deep space is energizing a space mining boom on the Moon.

NASA Engineered a Box to Create the Fifth State of Matter in Space
Focal Point
S5 E16

NASA Engineered a Box to Create the Fifth State of Matter in Space

Atomic physicists at NASA are working to create an exotic state of matter...in space. And it turns out, the International Space Station is the perfect home base for these experiments.

Your Textbooks Are Wrong, This Is What Cells Actually Look Like
Focal Point
S5 E15

Your Textbooks Are Wrong, This Is What Cells Actually Look Like

With new advances in microscopy, biologists are able to see the secret life of cells unfolding like never before.

The Real Science Hidden in the Marvel Cinematic Universe
Focal Point
S5 E14

The Real Science Hidden in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

Ever wondered where the ideas for the futuristic tech in the Marvel Universe come from? We went inside the cutting-edge visual effects studio that designs it, and uncovered the real-world science that inspires them.

This Superheavy Atom Factory Is Pushing the Limits of the Periodic Table
Focal Point
S5 E13

This Superheavy Atom Factory Is Pushing the Limits of the Periodic Table

As we push the Periodic Table of the Elements further and further into the unknown, its familiar columns and rows are threatening to crumble. What’s next for this science icon?

This Indestructible NASA Camera Revealed Hidden Patterns on Jupiter
Focal Point
S5 E12

This Indestructible NASA Camera Revealed Hidden Patterns on Jupiter

NASA engineers launched a camera at Jupiter’s poles for the first time and what it imaged surprised everyone.

The Extreme Physics Pushing Moore’s Law to the Next Level
Focal Point
S5 E11

The Extreme Physics Pushing Moore’s Law to the Next Level

We went inside this exclusive R&D lab to see an engineering marvel that's about to shake up Silicon Valley.

Interstellar Mission Found Something Unexpected at Solar System’s Edge
Focal Point
S5 E10

Interstellar Mission Found Something Unexpected at Solar System’s Edge

The Voyager space probes have gone further into the unknown than any other spacecraft. With both probes officially in interstellar space, what have we learned?

How These Self-Aware Robots Are Redefining Consciousness
Focal Point
S5 E9

How These Self-Aware Robots Are Redefining Consciousness

What does it mean for a robot to be self-aware? That's exactly what this robotics lab is investigating as they embark on a quest towards artificial consciousness.

Inside the Controversial Experiment to Geoengineer the Atmosphere
Focal Point
S5 E8

Inside the Controversial Experiment to Geoengineer the Atmosphere

This lab is planning to test the world's first solar geoengineering experiment in the field. Here's why that's so controversial.

The International Hunt for Dark Energy Is on, Here’s What’s Coming
Focal Point
S5 E7

The International Hunt for Dark Energy Is on, Here’s What’s Coming

An international team of scientists and engineers are building a massive dark energy hunting machine to probe the far reaches of the universe for clues of this mysterious force.

How Did Radioactive Carbon End Up in the Deepest Part of Our Ocean?
Focal Point
S5 E6

How Did Radioactive Carbon End Up in the Deepest Part of Our Ocean?

Traces of nuclear explosions from the past have embedded themselves in our biosphere, and according to a new study, have even found their way into the deepest part of our ocean.

Engineered Bioweapons Are the New Security Threat—What You Need to Know
Focal Point
S5 E5

Engineered Bioweapons Are the New Security Threat—What You Need to Know

Bioweapons have been around for centuries, but with advances in synthetic biology we're now able to make them from scratch.

Inside a Synthetic DNA Factory That’s Building New Forms of Life
Focal Point
S5 E4

Inside a Synthetic DNA Factory That’s Building New Forms of Life

In this DNA factory, organism engineers are using robots and automation to build completely new forms of life.

Inside NASA’s Challenge to 3D Print Future Habitats on Mars
Focal Point
S5 E3

Inside NASA’s Challenge to 3D Print Future Habitats on Mars

NASA invited engineers and architects from around the world to design future habitats for Mars. Here’s what they came up with.

This Underground Antarctic Vault Will Stash the Planet's Frozen Secrets
Focal Point
S5 E2

This Underground Antarctic Vault Will Stash the Planet's Frozen Secrets

An international team of scientists has embarked on a continent-hopping expedition to build a future climate ice vault before the world's glaciers vanish forever.

How Einstein's Eclipse Changed the Course of Physics Forever
Focal Point
S5 E1

How Einstein's Eclipse Changed the Course of Physics Forever

Two intrepid astronomers embarked on a scientific quest to photograph a solar eclipse, and in turn launched Einstein into an international celebrity.