Okay, despite dating myself with this post headline, I must admit that the robot from “Lost in Space” is the first thing that comes to mind whenever I read anything about robots. I found the following bit of news particularly fascinating (and very appropo to our course):
“THE STANDARD reported last week that “emotional robots” are currently being developed, sensate vacuum cleaners programmed with emotion to increase their efficiency. “If a robot feels happy after it has cleaned a dirty carpet particularly well, then it will apparently seek out more dirt in order to do the same,” the article explains. “Similarly, if the robot feels guilt or sadness at having failed at a task, it will try harder next time.”
Crazy stuff, huh? While I can see the upside in creating a robot that feels happy after it has done its job, the idea of a robot having emotions to me is a bit prickly. Isn’t it the basic concept of a robot to have something mechanical, where you don’t have to deal with the “messiness” of complex emotional issues?
A robot that feels happiness and sadness. Will we then have a robot that gets upset when we forget its birthday, or when we don’t feel like speaking to it after a long day at the office? Will I have to compliment it on what its wearing (and tell it, no its new battery pack doesn’t make it look fat)?
I’m telling you this much: I’m drawing the line at robotic Christmas presents. I have enough problems figuring out what to buy my family and friends without worrying if I bought the wrong size and color computer chip for Robot Roger.
It really is turning into A Brave New World.
Here’s a link to the full story:
http://www.wired.com/news/columns/0,72808-0.html
Its funny that you should mention the robot from lost in space. Okay, ssshhh…we are both telling some things, lol. I havent thought about that show for quite some time, although I watched it, mind you there wasnt much of anything else to watch at that time, but my brother loved it. Anyway, in regards to your comment about the robots and having to be concerned about their feelings and desires, that is absurd. Have you ever seen I Robot with Will Smith or one of the sci-fi dramas about the scientist who invented the lady robot to cook and clean and provide a home for him and he makes adjustments from time to time and it falls in love with him and thinks that it is a real human being and she becomes homicidal. It makes for a good movie but not real life. Not that the machines would ever be able to come to life, but it is just to much hassle to hve to worry about where you are going to store it when you have finished using it for the day. Do you set it up in the front room with the remote or is it safe to push it into the closet with all the other appliances until the next weekend.
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