Simple Acts of Machine Kindness 😊
Altruism is all about the selfless act of helping others without seeking any personal gain or benefit. We see it when people go above and beyond to help others without expecting anything in return. In animals, it is seen when they are protecting and caring for their families or other individuals within their species. This selfless care showcases one of the best qualities of what makes us beings. But what about artificial creatures? Can they be altruistic too?
Created by Intuition Robotics, ElliQ is a companion for the elderly, aiming to combat loneliness, empower independence, and encourage a healthier lifestyle. It is able to engage in meaningful conversations, share news, and even tell jokes. This makes it feel like a true companion. Furthermore, ElliQ provides reminders for medication, prompts for physical activity, and allows for keeping track of mental well-being. It also facilitates staying connected with loved ones. In providing these services, ElliQ embodies a form of altruism by prioritizing the happiness and health of its users without any expectation of return. Its ability to learn and adapt to the user's preferences, ensures personalized interaction, making the elderly feel understood and cared for.
ElliQ represents how artificial intelligence and robotics can be used to combat the isolation many elderly individuals face. This is done by offering not just task-oriented assistance but genuine emotional support and companionship. It highlights that altruism can manifest in the warmth of presence and the gentle push towards a better day. This artificial creature is like a friend who's always there to help to make someone's day a bit brighter. The small acts of “kindness” add up, showing how caring for each other, one act of kindness at a time, makes a big difference.
The X20 Quadruped Robot Dog by Deep Robotics represents a step forward in using technology to save lives. During search and rescue operations, the X20 can navigate difficult terrains. It is designed to perform under extreme conditions considered too dangerous for humans and animals. The robot dog utilizes AI algorithms to precisely navigate and interact with its surroundings. This allows for detailed environmental perception, making it adept at locating people in need.
It's a great example of how smart technology can be used to make the world a safer place for everyone. Unlike traditional rescue teams, the X20 operates tirelessly, and is unaffected by danger in its mission to aid humans. This dedication to rescuing others, without any expectation of reward, mirrors the essence of altruism traditionally seen in humans and animals.
Blink
The two artificial creatures mentioned above are quite complex. It can be interesting to imagine a robot that is a little more simplistic but still able to show and illustrate altruism. This brings us to my own idea called Blink.
Blink is a small, disk-shaped robotic companion. Its key feature is a single, large LED at the center. This LED should be capable of changing colors and blinking to communicate. Designed for simplicity, Blink uses color changes and blinking patterns to offer guidance, reminders, and emotional support. It's equipped with retractable wheels hidden within its base, allowing it to follow its owner discreetly. Blink embodies altruism through its subtle presence, providing comfort and companionship with its gentle, ambient light.
Example 1 of Blink created with DALL-E
Example 2 of Blink created with DALL-E
To conclude, altruism often isn't linked with robots as they lack emotions and personal motivation that living beings possess. This absence can lead to the belief that robots, driven by programming and logic, can't truly embody altruism in the way humans or animals can. However, in this exploration of altruism through artificial creatures, ElliQ and the X20 Quadruped Robot Dog show how advanced technology can embody selflessness. ElliQ, with its empathetic support for the elderly, and the X20's dedication in search and rescue, showcase how robots can extend care and assistance (beyond human capabilities). Blink, though simpler, would also be able to show selflessness by providing comfort and companionship. By considering the outcomes of the creatures' actions rather than the capacity for emotions and motivation, one can argue that robots can indeed be altruistic.