My Thoughts On Robotics

1. Which area of robotics do you specialise in?

Web-based robots

2. How long have u been involved in this field?

~1.5 years, mostly casual.

3. Where do you think robotics is heading to in the future?

Performing repetitive, menial tasks in remote environments. I doubt that robots will be used much for applications where the environment is constantly changing or perception/creativity is required.

4. Do you think that robotics will take over society? Take into account employment.

No, just compliment it. Robots taking over was probably the mentality when people first saw robots and were amazed at what they could do. We now know how much more we can do than robots.

5. What do you believe are the advantages of introducing robotics to our society?

Robots are a tool for us to use, as a hammer is a tool. Tools are made to be of use to us. Chances are that if a tool is not useful, it will be scrapped. Apply the Darwinian Theory theory to robots? - probably.

6. What do you believe are the disadvantages of introducing robotics to our society?

They are currently so costly, that laymen can't afford them. It will probably mean that the rich have a means of being more productive (hence richer) whilst small businesses may be left behind.

7. Do you think that robots should have human emotions? Why?

No - We have made them for exactly the purpose of being objective, which it is difficult to be if you have emotions. Will a thermometer lie to us if it believes we will not appreciate finding out how high above 50 degrees celcius it is.

8. What do you believe are the consciousness that a robot needs?

Visual perception and an understanding of indirect commands. ie, "Get rid of it". The robot should be able to decide what 'it' is and what 'getting rid of' means.

9.Do you agree with the following? Please justify your answer.

A robot may not injure a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm:	Yes. We are creating robots as a tool, and that should not change the society value that life is sacred.
A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the above:	Yes. Robots are tools amde by us. We designed it for a specific purpose.
A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the above two:	Yes. A robot has a right to exist except where its existence is deemed by humans to be wrong.

10. Do think that there will be many people using robots in the next 50 -100 years?

If space colonization starts to happen, yes. Otherwise, probably only for industry.

11. What do you believe are the impacts on society of introducing robots?

Many people may become reliant on robots to do their job for them. But someone will still have to know how to do the job if the robot malfunctions (how many sci-fi storylines have brought that up!). People won't necessarily have less work to do, they just might be able to concentrate on the more pleasant tasks.

12. Where do you think robots will be used most in the next 50 - 100 years?

Space exploration and colonization. Work in remote or hazardous sites. For precise and repetitive tasks.

13. If a house cleaning robot was introduced in 2005, a self-driving taxi in 2019, a self-replicating robot in 2044 and a C-3PO becomes a reality in 2047, what do you think will be introduced in 2075,2080.

Robotic negotiators, delagations. Perhaps if we find other life forms that life on planets that are hazardous to humans, they could serve as first contact. A pseudo culture might evolve, and if people start to worry about how our planet will turn out, a simulation could be run on another planet with the robots.

14. Do you think the police to control crime will use robots?

Probably. They would be good at detaining people or on identifying a car thief, lock all the doors and immobilise the car through some communication with the car. In fact, why not make all cars robots themselves and part of one big police brigade? Eyes everywhere!
Robots can be objective so can give consistent rulings but since creativity is also required, humans should definitely still be involved and the final power should not rest with robotic police.

15. In what sizes will the robots be?

Depends on the tasks. Any robot that replaces a human for a task should be sized the same as a human, in case the human has to take the controls again. For unobtrusive tasks (ie, couriering) the smaller the better obviously (maybe even flying to keep out of our way).