Robot discovers new scientific knowledge after designing, doing own experiments

U.K. researchers have created a "robot scientist" they believe is the first machine to independently discover new scientific knowledge.

Called Adam, the room-sized computerized robotic system decides what experiments it wants to do and performs all the steps to complete the scientific process.

The researchers at Aberystwyth University in Wales and Cambridge University in England say Adam has discovered new knowledge about the genes of baker's yeast.

Aberystwyth computer science professor Ross King said the research team did experiments to confirm that the robot's findings were both new and correct.

The researchers report in the journal Science that they are working on a second robot - called Eve - to test possible drugs for such killer diseases as malaria.

King said he foresees a time when robot scientists will work side by side in the lab with their human counterparts.