You, Robot
January 3, 2007 by Dave Earley
Filed under Technology
Always with the robots.
We hear about the magnificent advances we’ll have in the near future, and everyone wheels out “the robot“, ol’ faithful.
New generations of service robots will not be very intelligent but will provide cheap help for a range of tasks such as packing, cleaning, checking and basic assistance.
Polish that chestnut, lads! Of course, robots making our lives easier has been on the cusp of realisation for the last 60 years if you believe the hype. Realistically, the scenes from AI and I Robot are a long way off, not to mention Bicentennial Man. The first robot programmed to think and talk like Robin Williams will indeed signal the end of civilisation as we know it.
While those lifelike robots might forever be consigned to the realms of science fiction, we haven’t even managed to come up with something as useful as Number 5 from Short Circuit, who was particularly unattractive.
But all those disappointments and shattered dreams end THIS year, Doctor? 2007, who woulda thunk it.
Well, then it really is only a matter of time before Robots could demand legal rights. Einstein certainly would have.
see Robert Heinlein and Isaac Asimov for all debates re robot intelligence v. human needs, and how easily the overthrow of human society might be accomplished by them thar durn robits.