ROBOTS IN THE FUTURE

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!