ROBOTS IN THE FUTURE
What is a Robot?
To write this article, first thing I did was searching for “robot”
definitions.
Asking Google I got the following definition:
a machine capable of carrying
out a complex series of actions automatically, especially one programmable by a
computer.
synonyms: automaton, android, golem; (especially in
science fiction) a machine resembling a human being and able to replicate
certain human movements and functions automatically.
synonyms: automaton, android,
golem; used to refer to a person who behaves in a mechanical or unemotional manner
- "public servants are not expected to be mindless robots"
I asked Wikpedia also:
A robot is an automatic
mechanical device often resembling a human or animal. Modern robots are usually
an electro-mechanical machine guided by a computer program or electronic
circuitry. Robots can be autonomous or semi-autonomous and range from humanoids
such as Honda's Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility (ASIMO) and TOSY's TOSY
Ping Pong Playing Robot (TOPIO) to industrial robots, collectively programmed
swarm robots, and even microscopic nano robots. By mimicking a lifelike
appearance or automating movements, a robot may convey a sense of intelligence
or thought of its own.
And the Merrian-Webster Dictionary:
a real or imaginary machine
that is controlled by a computer and is often made to look like a human or
animal
a machine that can do the
work of a person and that works automatically or is controlled by a computer
Will Robots be Used in Almost all Human Activities?
Yes, indubitably, yes!
Nowadays, robots are already used in any area where “a
machine capable of carrying out a complex series of actions automatically,
especially one programmable by a computer” can replace human work.
The robots that we already have are great to
·
Execute tasks that require strength and/or
precision and consist mostly in repeated actions, like for example in auto
plants – actually in most big plants, in any area.
·
Work in dangerous situations, as for example firefighting,
submarine equipment maintenance, working in underground pipes, and so on.
Robots are increasing being used to control airplanes. They
can use the information provided by sensors like wind speed meters, gyroscopes,
GPS’s and so on to pilot the aircraft.
But human pilots are indispensable, their presence is
mandatory. But not all pilots – and not
all passengers – agree in taking from the pilot the option of taking control
whenever he thinks he should.
I think that shows that people are amazed by what robots are
capable to do, but are not – still – wanting to trust their lives in a robot’s “hands”.
Interestingly, the same objections are not raised when it
comes to control missiles. Apparently,
when a robot’s malfunctioning can kill “other people” – enemies, or just
strangers, trusting a robot is acceptable.
I think is just a matter of time to people forget about
their objections to putting their lives in robot’s “hands”.
Let me share an experience:
I’m Brazilian, in Brazil we do not have a lot of automatic cars, and I
never drove a car with an “automatic pilot” before I arrived at United
States. Don’t think we can call the
automatic transmission a kind of robot?
It is in charge of changing the engine’s gear, a task that we Brazilians
have to repeat like “a zillion” times in our daily lives. When you’re in a traffic jam, this means a
lot of work! And, eventually, am not I trusting
my life to this robot? I mean, what if I
try to speed the car to get out of the way of another vehicle, and it does not
work?
And I have to tell that when I fell the car “taking me” the
throttle when I turn on the “automatic pilot”, I feel scared! It’s clear to me that I’m not controlling the
car anymore! I can’t help but thinking “what if it does not returns the control
to me when I need?”
But I don’t believe that American drivers feel that way.
So, it’s just a matter of time, of getting used to trust in
robots, and our fear will not hinder their spread anymore.
Antropomorphic vs Non-Antropomorphic Robots
I do believe that we’ll have a very meaningful presence of
robots in a near future. But I think
that most of them will not have human appearance. I think they will be “autonomous
machines”.
We already have automatic plows and harvesters. A human being needs to be present, but I
think that in a few years it will not be required anymore.
Cars that will transport us, being enough that we provide
the destination – similarly to what we do with GPS devices nowadays, will be
something standard; an human driving a
car will be an eccentricity.
All kinds of machines will have this “embedded” robots,
dispensing human operators.
I think that this makes more sense than building anthropomorphic
robots to control the machines.
Domestic Robots
All housekeeping will be done by robots. Not just dishwashing, laundry and
cleaning. I think that we’ll be able to
define a “kind” of diet we’d like to follow, and a “robot mother” will take
care of all details, buying all groceries – this in case we still cook at home
in a few years – and/or pre-cooked food, and serving us the meals.
Maybe these domestic robots will be designed to have human
appearance, but I think that it can be more virtual than physical. Something like a hologram to interact with us,
while the housework tasks are executed by robots built similarly to our current
appliances.
Activities beyond Robot’s Range
All activities which requires human empathy cannot be
delegated to robots. They can “mimic”
human empathy, but they are not humans and due to this a “robotic
psychotherapist” cannot be as satisfying as its human counterpart. And can you imagine a “robot pastor”?
More worldly human activities shall also be forbidden to
robots. What if instead of having a “robot
mother” to take care of your house, you opt for having a “robot wife”? Of course it would bring you your flip-flops
and a beer and be quiet while you watch the football game or listen to you
telling about your day, whatever you prefer.
Could you fall in love with a machine?
And could you make… No, I don’t
want even think about this, it’s far too scary!
If this thought don’t disgusts you, I suggest you talk to a psychotherapist,
or a pastor - human ones, please!
Finally I’d like to highlight that despite robots are great
taking care of elder people, these robots should not have human
appearance. We shall not forget that
they are just “improved canes”. They
cannot and they shall not replace the care and the affection of children and
grandchildren.
How will This World look alike?
Honestly, I don’t know, I don’t think we can preview. Isaac Asimov, for example, had some genial
insights – I love his “theory of chaos applied to human societies” – but his
descriptions of future societies still using pencil and paper, for example,
were wrong. George Orwell, with his “Big
Brother”, also describes in a way amazingly plausible a sick society, but in
terms of technology, he was also wrong. Arthur
Clarke, with his “2001”, describes something similar to “The Singularity” –
but, again, the timeline is completely wrong.
So I admit that if these genial writers were not able to
preview the future of technology, I certainly am not capable.
One thing I know for sure: it will amaze all of us who come
to see it!
