In the most recent match up between man and machine, it was man that squeaked out a victory, though just barely. The competition was a highly anticipated poker match between a couple of poker professionals and a new computer program called Polaris.

As our own Zac Bissonnette discussed over the weekend, as computer programs get better at gaming applications, eventually this technology may get transferred to the stock market to form the "perfect trader." But the newest program put to the test this week was only narrowly edged out by its human competition.

Polaris was recently developed at the University of Alberta in Canada. The university also recently released a checkers program that cannot be beaten by a human (but can end in a draw if its human counterpart plays the perfect game), and decided it was time to put its Polaris poker program to the test against two professional Texas Hold'Em players.

Issac Asimov would be proud. In today's ever expanding universe of artificial intelligence and robotics, it would seem that no barriers remain to the boundless potential of what robots can accomplish. From cleaning swimming pools to exposing makeshift bombs, robots are now assisting humankind in tasks both dangerous and mundane. As an investment, the world of robotics can potentially provide wondrous long term growth when one considers that mobile robotics are finally being widely accepted as practical in mainstream lifestyles.

On March 30, 2007 Kevin Shult reported that Benchmark initiated iRobot Corp.(NASDAQ: IRBT) with a buy rating and a target price of $17. Kevin stated that Benchmark "believes the company is a compelling investment given its market potential and undervalued stock." Since that time, the company's shares are performing well, which has prompted me to check out the iRobot Corp. company website.

Founded in 1990 by a development team with roots from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. iRobot currently has interests in some 80 or more robotics and artificial intelligence patents. iRobot is dedicated to developing robotic technologies that can make a positive impact on peoples lives. iRobot manufactures robots that vacuum, pick up, scrub, fight fire, patrol, investigate, detect, extract and educate. It is newly shaping the fundamental practices of military, law enforcement and domestic tasks. Sporting names like Roomba, Scooba and Verro, iRobot has produced name recognition for its products by providing products that function as prescribed.

If investment in cutting edge technology is your thing (and I believe it should be a part of any investment portfolio), then I think you owe it to yourself to check this company out. Robotics and artificial intelligence are tomorrow's new horizons. iRobot has a fun and easy to investigate website which will provide you with everything you need to know in deciding if it's a good investment choice.

A recent report from Robotics Online, the website of the Robotics Industries Association, reveals that while purchases of robotic equipment by automakers are down, overall the industry is strong. Mostly this is due to emerging markets in business sectors which are relative newcomers to robotics. The market sectors which robotics companies intend to keep pushing into include pharmaceuticals, food processing and distribution, warehousing, and a host of assembly applications and material handling solutions. Trevor Jones, President of the Robotics Industries Association indicates that there is a general consensus within the industry that while the record setting results of 2005 cannot be duplicated this year, there are plenty of good options for the robot folks to focus on while American automakers get their shirts tucked back in.

Denso Robotics is the worlds second largest manufacturer of auto parts and is a leader in the design and manufacturing of assembly robots. Denso has over 15,000 small assembly robots online in their own manufacturing operations and has placed more than 35,000 robots in operation world wide. Denso will be presenting at the 2007 Automation Technology Expo in Anaheim California.

Epson Robots is the robotic design and manufacturing division of Seiko Epson. They are a world leader in PC based assembly robots and other automated assembly solutions. Epson has an extremely proactive marketing approach which includes mini-seminars in the facilities of prospective customers. They'll even buy you lunch! Epson also has available a CD based learning program which can provide you with a solid working knowledge of basic robotics in just two hours.

Kawasaki Robotics is a manufacturer of medium to heavy duty robots used for a variety of manufacturing, fabrication, finishing, pallet fill and warehousing applications. Kawasaki Robotics boasts the installation of over 64,000 robots worldwide. Kawasaki currently has 5 model series in production and also provides equipment for non-robotic manufacturing applications.

Overall, robotics is healthy and growing. Robotics is a strong field for long range investment. Couple robotics with the ever expanding field of artificial intelligence and you have the recipe for a strong investing base facing directly into the future. Take a little tour of the Robotics Industry Association website and you'll get a good feel for what is going on behind the scenes. Some folks are worried that robots are going to continue putting factory workers out of jobs. That may be true but then again, it may not. Remember that robots will always require people to sell, install, program, inspect and service them. From what I hear, the folks who surround robots make a very nice living at it.