Science Magazine Podcast Robots that eat other robots, and an ancient hot spot of early human relatives
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Jul 24, 2025 Philippe Wyder, a roboticist at Distyl AI, explores the revolutionary concept of robots that consume other robots for self-repair and adaptability. This innovation could reshape robotics for tasks like space exploration. Ann Gibbons, a science correspondent, delves into fossil discoveries in South Africa's Cradle of Humankind, highlighting evidence of early human relatives coexisting. Their discussion reveals complexities of human evolution and the intricate interplay of different hominin species.
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Multiple Hominins Coexisted
- The Cradle of Humankind in South Africa reveals fossils of multiple hominin genera coexisting around 2 million years ago.
- This challenges the linear view of human evolution, showing early Homo, Paranthropus, and Australopithecus lived alongside each other.
Discovery of Baby Hominins Together
- Paleoanthropologist Jose Braga found fossils of baby Homo erectus and Paranthropus in the same sediment layer at Cradle of Humankind.
- Ann Gibbons visited the sites herself after hearing of these discoveries and the potential coexistence.
Hominin Diversity in One Area
- Paranthropus was a robust hominin with a large head and jaws, unlike early Homo which had a slightly larger brain and more human-like body.
- Australopithecus, including famous Lucy, was smaller-brained and lived with these other hominins in a confined area.