Robots in Our Future

Can there be robots in our future? The answer results in much debate because there are those who feel robots help us accomplish many things in the human race. Others believe that mechanized automation is the downfall of civilizations as theorized in movies like Terminator and more recently, Eagle Eye. Robots have been in our past (since 1956) and will mostly likely continue into our future as tasks need completing that are harder for humans to do.

The Terminator

According to Webster, a robot is "a machine that looks like a human being and performs various complex acts…of a human being" (Definition). Robots don't necessarily have to perform like a human being. If there is a repetitive task that could eventually hurt the same human doing the same thing, then a robot should replace that person.

Also take into account any number of household appliances in your home. Technically, anything with a microprocessor can be considered a robot. Your microwave keeps track of time, temperature, and food styles; your vacuum might have a sensor that detects dirty; and your TV has functions for auto-shut off, source detection, and picture quality. Just because they don't walk and talk like a human doesn't make them a robot.

Robots in our future can either be a good or a bad thing. You may have already seen the future in Robots in the auto and medical industry. Currently there is one car factory in Germany that is totally automated by Robots and one IBM technology factory in Texas 100% automated. One company, Caterpillar, is working on robotic machinery and plans on 2020-2021 for complete automation of their heavy machinery.

The largest industry where you will see robots in our future before others is the medical industry. The Da Vinci surgery robot is an indication of the possibilities of robots working in hospitals. Robots are precise and performing risky surgeries can alleviate human error and stress associated with surgery. Increasing health care costs and the needs of the elderly and sick put a strain on our current network of doctors. Having robots perform the day-to-day and repetitive surgeries can free up doctors and surgeons for the harder operations. Also, medical scientists are affected: they would be able to concentrate of creating vaccines and cures.

Some people are afraid that the destruction of the human raced is inevitable if robots in our future was the future. Right now, the technology to make self-sufficient robots is far off. Scientists aren't focused on creating a robot to be a therapist (as in one Issac Asimov's first sotries) and therefore, computer A.I. programming (or nanotechnology) is not increasing at a pace where a robot can become an entirely free thinking. Honda's Asimo is close, but Asimo can only walk like a human. This robot is designed to do what it is programmed, like pick things up or push a cart. Asimo has been programmed to navigate obstacles, but Asimo cannot think or does not have free will, which is a trait of all humans.

• Robots can perform the repetitive tasks that can harm people in the long run. Factories that assemble items on a conveyor belt or dentists that extract wisdom teeth would benefit from a robot.
• Robots can go into dangerous situations. For instance, robots can defuse bombs or travel down hard-to-get areas like a mine.
• Robots can make people more productive. If you have a robot do some of your boring tasks, like washing dishes or the laundry, you can focus on more important tasks like staying organized or losing weight.

• It's possible robots can make humans lazy. Household robots made to be a butler or maid will facilitate the "couch potato".
• Robots are still robots. No matter what the robots are programmed to do, they are still a machine, with moving parts and computer programming. A human still needs to be present in order to troubleshoot the mechanics or the software in case something goes wrong.

• Official Page of Asimo, English
• Isaac Asimov Home Page

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