3.7 Robots and Autonomous Technologies
From the Specification
Robots and autonomous technologies demonstrate a capacity to sense, think and/or act with some degree of independence.
Robots and autonomous technologies have evolved over time and are increasingly ubiquitous, pervasive and woven into the everyday lives of people and communities.
Robots and autonomous technologies introduce significant opportunities and dilemmas in digital society.
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