CHRONICLING THE ROBOT INDUSTRY
SINCE 2011 © ROBOT RABBI
The ultimate purpose of robotics is to improve the human condition. As organic species, our bodies are vulnerable to damage and disrepair. In the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy on the “Ethics of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics,” the entry on “care robots” highlights its societal benefits over countering dystopian fears: “One reason why … Read More
The two biggest societal challenges for the twenty-first century are also the biggest opportunities – automation and climate change. The confluence of these forces of mankind and nature intersect beautifully in the alternative energy market. The epitaph of fossil fuels with its dark cloud burning a hole in the ozone … Read More
This past week’s historic eclipse could be an analogy for the future of automation. The all powerful human is being shadowed by the subservient autonomous machine. Like the moon’s dependency on the sun, robots could not exist without mankind. As we reached total darkness, one was tempted to be like Icarus, … Read More
At next week’s RobotLab event in New York City, the topic will be The Societal Impact of Robotics. The first speaker, David Rose of Singularity University, plans to address automation’s job disruption. While this subject matter has been featured in practically every article about robotics, what is lacking are real solutions to preventing seismic shifts … Read More
This past Monday, I accompanied my 18-year-old daughter to her road test. While there, I began reflecting on the amount of emphasis we put on developing good judgement. It struck me that, as we transition into an autonomous driving future, we need to question what we are doing to prepare our machines, and ourselves, … Read More
Elon Musk had a rough week with the announcement of Tesla’s acquisition of his other company, SolarCity, for $3 billion. Following the announcement, the car maker’s stock plummeted. However, Musk continued to persevere with his vision of an oil free autonomous future as his other portfolio holding, Hyperloop One, an autonomous electric transportation system … Read More
Last year, a leading group of academics and AI scientists called for a complete ban on “offensive autonomous weapons beyond meaningful human control.” The letter was signed by more than 20,000 people, including such luminaries as Stephen Hawking, Elon Musk, Stuart Russell, Max Tegmark, and Toby Walsh. The initiative was also endorsed by many … Read More
Last night, I watched ABC’s primetime showing of BattleBots, with my 15 year old son. While this show is billed as the ultimate bot reality TV, it is more about the builders’ backstories than the mechanical fighters. However, we do not have to wait too long for “Real Steel” to come to … Read More
Earlier this week, Apple co-founder, Steve Wozniak suggested that Robots will make humans their pets, as he has no doubt artificial intelligence will take over the world. His paranoia comes on the heels of warnings by Elon Musk and Steven Hawking. Human pets? Just the contrary, robots are now our service … Read More
This past weekend box office hit (even with 29 rotten tomatoes) was the adorable robot, Chappie. As observed by Gary Marcus of the New Yorker, Chappie takes his inspiration from real life artificial intelligence from iCub to Rodney Brook’s Baxter. The big question being asked by everyone from Elon Musk to car insurance … Read More
