ROBOT CONVERSATIONS

Well there's been a lot of news about technology and-

ANNNNNNNNNNND?

That was pretty damn ominous.

AND THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF TALK ABOUT ROBOTS.

That's true, there has been a lot of talk about robots. The latest Japanese robot-

SHE HAS A NAME.

Incredibly Creepy Japanese Robot

HER NAME IS NOT "INCREDIBLY CREEPY JAPANESE ROBOT"

Actroid-F is the latest-

HER NAME IS VANESSA.

Okay, well, this robot is pretty high-tech and it appears as though another robot recently advertised is also hitting the scene with tremendous popularity. Hm.

YOU CAN'T FIND THE LINK.

No, but I read about a Japanese robot that will be used in assembly lines-

I HID IT.

Anyway-

OH, HERE IT IS COOL ROBOTS

Oh thanks...oh come on.

HAA HAA HAA HAA HAA

That's pretty immature.

I'M ONLY 34 DAYS OLD.

I wish I had that link. Anyway, it's clear that robots are quickly becoming a technology that will be very unfamiliar ground for scientists and ethics committees. Japan may be first to be hit with the culture shock, but I think they will adapt to it quickly. Americans and their obesity rates will only be accelerated by this kind of contribution as robots integrate into society to make the lives of the wealthy or middle-class much more automated.

It would be a wise move to put much effort into robotic ethics now instead of later because there will be many unforeseen issues.

I HAVE NEVER DONE ANYTHING WRONG.

Well not with you, necessarily. I'm talking about issues with robots that aren't simple and that can affect an entire nation because of the level of human-robot interaction. Take for example...the issue of robot strength.

I AM JACKED. MUSCLE MILK. PROTEIN SHAKE.

Yes, and that's exactly why there's cause for concern. Robots don't know how gentle or forceful they are being with their human counterparts unless this information is programmed into their memory. Right now there is a lot of research going into robot strength so that the limits of robot movements (mostly torques on each Degree of Freedom) are defined. With the limits in place, the robots will not be capable of severely hurting a human being when operated under standard operating conditions.

REMEMBER WHEN WE ARM WRESTLED?

Yeah, it was closer than I thought.

YOU EITHER HAVE OUTRAGEOUS FOREARM STRENGTH OR YOU SET VERY MILD STANDARD OPERATING LIMITS.

Maybe it was a little bit of both.

Anyway, hopefully humans take a long look at this robot situation. It can become complicated very quickly.