News Briefs
A snapshot of newsworthy events in the intelligent systems arena.

NASA Tests Adaptable Mobile Robot in Chilean Desert
While Sojourner roves its way across the Martian landscape, NASA is already hard at work on Nomad, its next-generation robotic rover. Nomad is being test-driven this summer over a 120-mile area in the Atacama Desert in Chile.

Calendar
A list of upcoming intelligent systems-related events.

Neural Networks Are Looking Down in the Mouth
A group of dental researchers are teaming up with AbTech to develop an intelligent diagnostic system for the treatment of Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD).

Explorer Helps Researchers Keep An Eye on Technology
Los Alamos National Laboratory has developed an intelligent agent-based application that allows researchers to conduct scientific information searches on the Web.

System Could Provide "Speech" for the Mute
A Japanese research lab has developed a limited system for offering simultaneous translation of sign language. The system can translate sign language into spoken Japanese and vice versa.

SRI Wins $10 Million DOD Contracts to Develop Intelligent Tools
SRI International has been awarded several technology development contracts by the U.S. Department of Defense, including the creation of an AI-based Situation Awareness System, and the creation of new knowledge management tools.

Intelligent Applications
A round-up of recently released applications utilizing intelligent technologies.

Book Shelf
Reviews of current books dealing with intelligent systems. Products
A compilation of new product release information, ranging from neural networks and expert systems, to speech recognition and virtual reality.

Products
A compilation of new product release information, ranging from neural networks and expert systems, to speech recognition and virtual reality.

Wal-Mart Deploys System to Predict Customer Patterns
Wal-Mart Stores has deployed an intelligent data mining solution into its replenishment and decision support environment. Wal-Mart is using the software to build more accurate predictive models for its computer-assisted replenishment systems.