This past weekend, the DARPA Robotics Challenge was held at the Homestead-Miami Speedway-- a two-day competition in which 17 robots were scored on their ability to perform such tasks as driving cars, climbing ladders, and operating power tools. A robot built by the Japanese robotics firm, SCHAFT Inc., scored at the top of the pack, while the pictured team NASA robot (click on image to enlarge) tied for last place. More at LiveScience.