The Robotics Landscape
Isaac Asimov’s Original “Three Laws of Robotics”
It’s almost 75 years ago when Isaac Asimov devised his original laws of Robotics. He designed these specific rules to prevent these human companions or service type of robots from unintentionally harming humans.
- A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
- A robot must obey orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
- A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.
Google’s new Laws of Robotics
In the last decade there has been significant improvements or advancements in the Robotics space. The advancement in this space has created a diverse set of autonomous robotic devices ranging from a self-cleaning vacuum cleaner (iRobot) to Alexa voice controlled system to Audrey Hepburn looking Humanoid Sophia to bomb disposal sniffing dog from Boston Dynamics.
Asimov’s laws need to be updated to meet today’s evolution of Robots.
- Robots should not make things worse
- Robots shouldn’t cheat
- Robots should look to Humans as Mentors
- Robots should only play where it is safe
- Robots should know when they are stupid
Robots are slowly creeping into our lives in one form or another. Almost all the cars we buy are now made with the help of industrial robots. We shop online without touching our computer thanks to Amazon’s Alexa. Why do you need to hire a maid to clean our apartment when you have iRobot Roomba self propelled vaccum cleaner? Or how about a human companion robot like Erica.
Current Landscape of Robotics
Here are some companies that are focussed on Robotics development.
Industrial Use
1. Hitachi
2. Boston Dynamics
3. Kawasaki Robotics
4. ABB
Medical Field
- Mazor Robotics
Specializes in non-invasive spinal and brain Surgery.
(Note: Currently I am an investor in this company)
2. Intuitive Surgical
Builds robotics surgery units to treat prostate cancer, kidney cancer, bladder cancer or urinary blockage. Urologic conditions affect the urinary tract or the prostate.
Microchips
- AMD
- NVDA
- Mobile Eye
Military and Research
- Deep Mind (Google)
- Boston Dynamics
Consumer Products
- Amazon Alexa
- Google Home
Robots in research/design/development stages
1. Valkyrie (USA)
Most advanced Robot ever to be designed. It is a robust, rugged, entirely electric humanoid robot capable of operating in degraded or damaged human-engineered environments.
2. Erica (Japan)
ERATO is the highest funded scientific project in Japan, and it is headed up by Hiroshi Ishiguro.
3. Atlas (USA)
A military grade robot from DARPA
4. Jia Jia — The Robot Goddess (China)
Chinese homegrown robot with a bad accent.
5. Nadine (Japan)
World’s most human like Robot from Japan.
6. Hanson Robotics Sophia (Honk Kong/China)
Recently was demonstrated to a bunch of investors in Saudi Arabia. She is the first robot to be awarded a citizenship of a country (Saudi Arabia).
Watch the video interview of Sophia.
7. Exoskeleton from Hyundai
If you want to become the next Iron-man this new Robotic suit might just be for you. Hyundai designed Exoskeleton is going to take mobility to a whole new level as it is portrayed in the Tom Cruise’s movie The Edge of Tomorrow.
https://www.engadget.com/2016/12/19/hyundai-wants-to-make-exoskeletons-cheaper
Here is a good BBC documentary to watch on Robotics (there are two parts)!
If i missed any other Robotics development, please add it in the comments.
#Robotics #ArtificialIntelligence #Technology #IsaacAsimov #Mazor #Google #DeepMind
