Robotics Robotics is the branch of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and computer science that deals with the design, construction, operation, and application of robots,[1] as well as computer systems for their control, sensory feedback, and information processing. These technologies deal with automated machines that can take the place of humans in dangerous environments or manufacturing processes, or resemble humans in appearance, behavior, and/or cognition. Many of today's robots are inspired by nature contributing to the field of bio-inspired robotics. The concept of creating machines that can operate autonomously dates back to classical times, but research into the functionality and potential uses of robots did not grow substantially until the 20th century.[2] Throughout history, robotics has been often seen to mimic human behavior, and often manage tasks in a similar fashion. Etymology[edit] History of robotics[edit] Robotic aspects[edit] Components[edit] Power source[edit]
Synthetic Police Are Coming: DARPA Engineering Autonomous Robots Susanne Posel Occupy Corporatism August 17, 2012 Because of the risks involved in rescue aid workers and human response teams, DARPA awarded Boston Dynamics, Inc. a $10.9 million contract to manufacture humanoid robots that are bi-pedal, built like humans and have a sensor head with on-board computing capabilities. These robots are being created to assist in excavation and rescue missions, according to DARPA . Kent Massey, director of advanced programs for HDT Robotics , who attended the DARPA meeting in which the purpose of the allocation of humanoid robotic technology was explained, said: “The goal of this Grand Challenge is to create a humanoid robot that can operate in an environment built for people and use tools made for people. These human-controlled robots will be strong enough to “clear a room” and “facilitate sentry control and combat causality recovery.” The Naval Research Laboratory interests SAFFiR, the Shipboard Autonomous Firefighting Robot.
Cloud Robotics: Connected to the Cloud, Robots Get Smarter Image: Cellbots In the first “Matrix” movie, there’s a scene where Neo points to a helicopter on a rooftop and asks Trinity, “Can you fly that thing?” Her answer: “Not yet.” Then she gets a “pilot program” uploaded to her brain and they fly away. For us humans, with our non-upgradeable, offline meat brains, the possibility of acquiring new skills by connecting our heads to a computer network is still science fiction. Several research groups are exploring the idea of robots that rely on cloud-computing infrastructure to access vast amounts of processing power and data. Imagine a robot that finds an object that it's never seen or used before—say, a plastic cup. Kuffner described the possibilities of cloud robotics at the IEEE International Conference on Humanoid Robots, in Nashville, Tenn., this past December. For conventional robots, every task—moving a foot, grasping an object, recognizing a face—requires a significant amount of processing and preprogrammed information.
Terminator-like killer robots worry UN Last updated 08:41 31/05/2013 BAE, one of the world's biggest arms firms, unveils the Taranis, a prototype killer robot. Should robots be allowed to take a human life, without direct supervision or command? Science fiction met reality at the United Nations in Geneva overnight, where this question was debated at a meeting of the Human Rights Council. UN special rapporteur Christof Heyns told the council that countries are developing armed robots that can kill without the need for human choice or intervention, and they need to call a halt before it's too late. "The possible introduction of LARs (lethal autonomous robots) raises far-reaching concerns about the protection of life during war and peace," Heyns said. Heyns presented a report on his research and called for a worldwide moratorium on the production and deployment of such machines, while nations figured out the knotty legal and ethical issues. "War without reflection is mechanical slaughter," he said. "Robots also do not rape." Comments
"Sue My Car Not Me: Products Liability and Accidents Involving Autonomo" by Jeffrey K. Gurney Jeffrey K. Gurney, University of South Carolina - Columbia Abstract Autonomous vehicles will revolutionize society within the decade. Based on those scenarios, this Article argues that the autonomous technology manufacturer should be liable for accidents while the vehicle is in autonomous mode. Suggested Citation Jeffrey K. How Should the Law Think About Robots? by Neil M. Richards, William Smart The robots are coming. We don’t mean this in a scary, apocalyptic way, like in The Terminator or Battlestar Galactica, or in a tongue-in-cheek way, like in the Flight of the Conchords song “The Humans are Dead.” What we mean is this: Robots and robotic technologies are now mature enough to leave the research lab and come to the consumer market in large numbers. This essay is an attempt to think through some of the conceptual issues surrounding law, robots and robotics, to sketch out some of their implications.
Patients Scarred After Robotic Surgery Intuitive Surgical, which makes the da Vinci, declined to discuss their cases because of pending litigation. Most robotic procedures take place without a hitch, but there are a growing number of complaints and lawsuits that allege complications and even deaths from the da Vinci surgery. "The robot has a place in surgery," said Dr. Francois Blaudeau, a lawyer and practicing Alabama gynecologist who is serving as the lead plaintiffs' attorney on a slew of cases focused on da Vinci-related injuries. CNBC.com's Da Vinci Debate series:Part 1: Controversy Over Surgical Robotics Heats Up Part 2: Patients Scarred After Robotic Surgery Part 3: Counting the Problems of Robot-Assisted Surgery Part 4: Marketing Is Key to Surgical Robot's Success According to lawsuits, complaints, interviews with alleged victims, plaintiff attorneys and an FDA database, many of the reported injuries during robotic surgery appear to be burns and other heat-related damage to intestines, ureter, bowels and other organs.
Robot Morality: Can a Machine Have a Conscience Robot Morality: Can a Machine Have a Conscience? By Brian Green As part of the Markkula Center's yearlong series of talks on conscience, George Lucas of the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, formerly of the US Naval Academy, and previously a professor of philosophy at Santa Clara University, came to campus to discuss the ethics of giving autonomous military robots the authority to kill. Lucas answered the title question of the talk "Can a machine have a conscience?" Beginning with a discussion of the current use of military drones, which are piloted by humans and can only fire by human authorization, Lucas moved on to what he thought would be more likely scenarios for autonomous robots. Lucas emphasized that even human commanders in military situations often must contact leadership in order to know how to react or to authorize the use of force. That simple situation is quite like what one might encounter on the ground in Afghanistan. October 2013