The Taxonomy of Androtics, created a lot of interest in a relatively small cadre of aficionados! This is the home page of the Android Makers Society (AMS herein). See the Membership list; the Who's Who of the AMS.

Name: Android Makers Society

Purpose: Serve as a nexus for Android Makers.

Definitions:
Android; for AMS's purposes, any bipedal crafted creation (or any component) for the purpose of emulating human presentation. This includes robots to any undefinable as of yet technology. This expressly rules out that which has been created by human conception. ("Replicants," in _Blade Runner_? See def. in _Android Makers Handbook_)

Makers; anyone interested; at more than a cursory manner; in any android type making process, android designers, fabricators, suppliers, tool makers, etc.

Nexus; a repository of certain information, a clearinghouse, an index, and a moderated list for discussions and exchange of ideas. A forum.

Benefits of membership:
# Get a mail about any significant update to www.TheAndroidMaker.com site.

# Have a moderated list for android making news and discussions. Of course, I will be the moderator.

# Having features from others' [submitted and shared as for a "peer review"] work is one of the things I want to put on my site. I think it would be better to link to the original than to have a copy unless I am to host someone's paper (those who do not have a web site, which may be unusual). [I would not want a "link-only" requirement.]

Should these be general www viewable or stored in, but not linked to, www.TheAndroidMaker.com/ams/ ? Or should that be chosen at submission? The latter leaves more options.

Membership requirement:
All I need is *definite* word that you want to be an AMS member. Then I will put you in my address book and in my AMS group. I will manually maintain the list.

I have proposed the question to the membership of whether new membership should be by recommendation or letter of reference like the National Geographic Society used to be. Your ideas?

Another important point: There are no dues. As long as this is informal and can be managed in my spare time, there is no need. Perhaps someday if there are tangible benefits and costs, then that may need evaluation. However, I do not see that in any real potential future.

Articles:
.1..Best to keep a small, more dedicated membership for three good if not primary reasons:
^One, that is the way I think we want it and I am comfortable with that. I am not keen on numbers just for the numbers sake. I.e., we are concentrating on android making and related subjects, not getting elected to public office. If you have been in contact who may desire membership in this list, then let them know.

^Two, I do not want to use listserve software even if I had such.

^Three, the needs of the general public are best met by the www information in our sites. What is the difference between an interested surfer and an android maker? Those who are most interested in android making, whether or not they realistically
can, will be interested in coming aboard and have something to contribute. The fan out of our web sites will attract those interested.

Peradventure the energy of this concept grows beyond the wildest dreams, Special Interest Groups [(SIGs)] like ACM's, would be helpful. Their identifiers will become apparent as they develop. However, I believe the Animatronic technology based type have been made. After all, the film industry has been doing a lot of development through the years.

.2..I see these potential SIGs:

*     Service robots; these are the more conventional robots. They have a place in android making.

*     Bipedal robots

*     Animatronic androids

*     Hatfield Type Androids

*     Organic androids

*     Prosthetics

*     Special purpose/robotic hybrid (e.g. fruit harvesters)

*     Other

.3..

Want to contribute, comment, etc.? Write me! ... Your suggestions are welcome.

as of October 13, 2001. ... Back to The Android Maker site's home page.