3.7 Robots and Autonomous Technologies

From the Specification

3.7A Types of robots and autonomous technologies

From the Specification

Robots

• Industrial and productivity robots, service robots, social robots

Autonomous technologies

• Internet of things, autonomous vehicles, drones, virtual assistants

3.7B Characteristics of robots and autonomous technologies

From the Specification

• Sensory inputs for spatial, environmental and operational awareness

• The ability to logically reason with inputs, often using machine vision and/or machine learning

• The ability to interact and move in physical environments, sometimes remotely

• The demonstration of some degree of autonomy

3.7C Evolution of robots and autonomous technologies

From the Specification

• Early forms of robots and autonomous technology

• Robots in science fiction and philosophy

• Use in industry and manufacturing

• Expanding interactions with human users

• Machine consciousness, cognitive robotics and robot rights

3.7D Robots and autonomous technology dilemmas

From the Specification

• Anthropomorphism and the uncanny valley

• Complexity of human and environmental interactions

• Uneven and underdeveloped laws, regulations and governance

• Displacement of humans in multiple contexts and roles


Potential News Articles

3.7A Types of robots and autonomous technologies

Making sure humans don't have to go into dangerous places - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-65566980 

Bears vs Robot Wolves? I challenge you to not think this is the best story ever! https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-66737051

Sewers and robots, but no alligators, - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-67192319

Robot farmers - https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3243805/china-opens-worlds-tallest-unmanned-veggie-farm-more-urban-agriculture-advancements-take-root 

Robot fast food helpers - https://fortune.com/2024/03/23/restaurant-robots-automation-workers-kernel-ai-bank-of-america/ 

Robots making cars - https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/apollo-join-mercedes-benz-assembly-line 




3.7D Robots and autonomous technology dilemmas

Driverless tech killing people - https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/world/self-driving-and-driver-assist-technology-linked-to-hundreds-of-crashes-u-s-data-shows-8691631.html

Drones with guns to stop school shootings? - https://www.wired.com/story/taser-drone-axon-ai-ethics-board/

A trip to the uncanny valley - https://in.mashable.com/tech/33447/meet-ana-the-hyper-realistic-virtual-human-from-pub-g-makers-krafton

The use of automated technology multiplies the delays in Dover UK - https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/sep/28/eu-biometric-entry-system-could-multiply-delays-at-dover

Crowdfunding killer drones in the Ukraine - https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/oct/12/ukraine-crowdfunding-kamikaze-drones-russian-attack-cities-military 

Bomb disposal robots can do other things too - https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/nov/24/san-francisco-police-propose-using-robots-capable-of-deadly-force 

Robots rebuilding coral reefs - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-66656369 

A police state and the use of facial recognition technology - https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/sep/02/home-office-accused-of-secret-lobbying-for-facial-recognition-spy-company 

I cannot even explain this story in a few words - https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/06/japanese-city-robots-tackle-rise-in-school-truancy


Man crushed to death by robot in South Korea - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-67354709


The uncanny Valley  a psychology POV - https://www.forbes.com/sites/traversmark/2023/11/21/a-psychologist-explains-the-eerie-uncanny-valley-phenomenon/?sh=502fa87c75ab 


Tesla safety whistleblower - https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-67591311 


On the road to automated mobility: An EU strategy for mobility of the future - https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:52018DC0283