7 teams in the A track of the DARPA Humanoid Challenge - looking forward to the public tests later in 2013

What is the DARPA Humanoid Challenge?

http://www.darpa.mil/Our_Work/TTO/Programs/DARPA_Robotics_Challenge.aspx

Is it like a Turing Test for Robots?

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2012/04/darpa-humanoid-robots/

http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/military/robots/start-your-mad-science-darpas-humanoid-robot-challenge-14095951

http://spectrum.ieee.org/automaton/robotics/humanoids/meet-the-amazing-robots-that-will-compete-in-the-darpa-robotics-challenge

More like a turning test :) 

Ability to act like humans but only in limited areas - no alcohol applied.

There are 8 major representative tasks: drive a vehicle, travel across rubble, remove debris from door, open a door, climb industrial ladder and walkway, use a power tool, locate and close a valve, replace a component. 

These are all things robots don't currently do well and are critical in disaster response scenarios. (I heard that pushups were one of the subtasks but it is comparable to using upper body to climb ladder.)

http://spectrum.ieee.org/automaton/robotics/humanoids/darpa-robotics-challenge-here-are-the-official-details

I feel like we're watching the History of Technology evolve before our very eyes!