I've recently been tracking the development of the Boston Dinamics robots. After a few months of silence the company decided to boast about its achivements. On their YouTube channel began to appear videos, we first saw an improved version of the SpotMini machine, which reminds me of a mechanical dog and they presented the progress of the robot Atlas. I remember the first presentation of this robot. His movements were quite sluggish and slow. Today the robot jumps and performs exercises that would be hard to do for many of us. (including me đ ).
Atlas looks very much like a man, probably because of
that his fitness are scary to me đ. Its construction, (two legs and hands) make this robot can be designed
(as claimed by Boston Dynamics) for warehouse work. Here is an example:
https://youtu.be/rVlhMGQgDkY?t=65
https://youtu.be/rVlhMGQgDkY?t=65
His stability and sense of balance are unbelivable. The
new Atlas is almost perfect to master stepping and jumping between them, there
are no problems with rotation of up to 180 degrees, and if there is not enough,
he can ... make a backflip.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRj34o4hN4I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRj34o4hN4I
Engineers say they owe much to 3d printing technology.
Thanks to it, components such as arms and legs can be modeled on structures
found in animals.
These recent videos made me wonder how it would affect our lives in the future. First thoughts are of course black scripts from Sci-fi movies. Robots dominating the world. Stephen Hawking, a well-known astrophysicist, also has a number of concerns regarding artificial intelligence and robots. He also claims that artificial intelligence at a high level can even surpass man in thinking and that robots will begin to build their own world or will improve the one that was created by humans. The most important thing in all of this is that humanity always has the ability to control what "thinks" the robot, what conclusions it is, and what intentions it may have.
Great presentation of
Boston Dynamics on Ted Talk:
1.
What do think, how life
would be like in the future with robots and AI?
2. Would you like to have SpotMini as a pet? đ
2. Would you like to have SpotMini as a pet? đ
Thanks for reminding me that I've lost the track of how Boston Dynamics is doing recently - good wrap up!
ReplyDeleteI'd rather pick Aibo for a pet, than SpotMini - he's, well, overwhelming. :)
I bet not many of you recall but Japanese used to experiment a lot with robot companion concept - Sony created robot dog companion called Aibo almost 20 years ago. Actually, people got so much used to their Aibos, so that there's still one person in Japan that keeps fixing them. People just felt a great loss when they broke, so that they looked for a way to repair them.
Full story can be read on VICE here: https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/8qxk3g/there-is-one-man-and-only-one-man-who-can-still-repair-your-robot-dog
I can recall that also Planete+ or Discovery had a documentary on this man article mentions.
Going back to Boston Dynamics... I always feel sorry for the robots they keep on kicking to test how they stand up. :)
However, it also makes me realize how complicated bodies we have.
Look how difficult is it to create robot that keeps it balance or picks any given item. It took Boston Dynamics years to achieve that and they are on beginning of the road.
And as for your question on how robots and AI will impact our future... I think we need to make a great shift in our society before we can truly embrace them. I bet we will live side by side with them and perhaps, even incorporate both robots and AI into ourselves.
The Japanese will always be amazed at me. I also heard that many people still look after their tamagochi :).
DeleteAibo reminded me of my childhood toy https://youtu.be/A-09XnH8A8c?t=5 may not be as advanced as this Japanese, but still brought a lot of fun ;)
Sony announced that it will bring Aibo back:
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKBhxWCpX-w
As MichaĆ has mentioned- the phisical aspect of robots is modeled on our bodies. And there are so many circulation systems, dependencies and cooperation between body parts, that it is so dificult to do something at least that good as our bodies.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest - it scares me to think, that one day our live will be full of that kind of "help". Aspecially when those robots are made to look simmilar to us, but still they are not humans. And never will be.
I understand, that they could help us with difficult, tiring physical work but that limites worklaces. People need to work. We need to earn money so we can provide a proper life. It is better to train yourself, to teach new things, than to build something what is smarter than you. It could be tricky. And as Tesla test showed us- hackers can take control over those machines, and it could turn out in a bad way.
Now we are starting with simple things as waiters job (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCBbejvb7jA), but will you allow to take your child under the care of a robot? I thing that we are responsible for our lives and we shouldn't make use of robots in our daily life.
The fact that the machines will take away our work have been said already when they invented a steam engine ;). Technological advances make some professions lose their meaning, but in their place there are new ones, which a few years ago never dreamed of. This is a process that we have been observing for hundreds of years, and there is no sign that it is about to end. The demand for work is not decreasing - only the skills for which someone is ready to pay are changing.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteYou're right and I'm aware that this is our future, nevertheless it scares me a ittle ;)
DeleteAt first I want to respond your question about SpotMini as a pet. For me robot can’t be treated as a pet. When I’m think of any pet I think about warm and soft-touch creature, not a piece of plastic and steel. That’s the point for me which differs these two candidates for being my pet. Although the fact that AI can partly emulate the character but every single animal have their own and unique character. You can’t write a code which set real animal habits. You own a pet as it is, and that’s greatest aspect from owner point. The same counts for humanoid robots. Maybe they can help us in work but for me it’s very odd to treat them as real friends. I agree with Asia, we should be the main creators of ours reality, not robots. But as long as constructors can keep them only tools to provide help I can sleep without any fears.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to relationships with AI, it's great being shown in the latest Blade Runner. The main character has an artificial intelligence at home, which serves as a housewife, partner, wife. Interesting how many years in reality we know, we will see in homes such hyper-complicated and machine-based programs that will satisfy our whims, while at the same time "pretend" the real person.
DeleteIn my opinion we, as people, have to be very careful engineering the AI. I think it can hurt us as much, or even more, than benefit. Everyone have seen Matrix or Terminator. Of course this is just a sci-fi (more fiction than science) but you get the point. Let me give you 2 examples when AI already surpassed humans and created it's own misunderstandable language:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.theverge.com/2017/10/18/16495548/deepmind-ai-go-alphago-zero-self-taught
https://www.forbes.com/sites/tonybradley/2017/07/31/facebook-ai-creates-its-own-language-in-creepy-preview-of-our-potential-future/#7a0e4c5f292c
SpotMini with a head is terrifying! It looks like some undead dog from a horror movie! However headless Spot Mini looks cool and if price wasn't an issue i would definately consider keeping one as a pet
Facebook AI did not invent its own language. Rather, it optimized and simplified English (that was enforced on it) into something more efficient but simply not understandable for us.
DeleteThat's a big misconception.
There is a reason why we can't simplify our language further like AI did - our mouth and tongue must be capable of speaking characters and words we come up with. :)
In my opinion they will rapidly comes to every single part of our live.Every dangerous task will be replaced by robots.
ReplyDeleteHell No. Theres so much electronic devices in my live that I I do not even have a charging socket for another think. Also I prefer live animals rather than animal that I can control by my smartphone.
Thanks for article
The idea is that these pets will control themselves without the use of a smartphone. But I understand. I would also prefer a living pet. :)
DeleteI must say the backflip looks pretty impresive. Anyway, Atlas robot looks nothing like the ones from Sci-Fi movies. It still makes a huge impression on me, but I think for quite some time we are safe from any AI threat.
ReplyDeleteTaking into account fast developemnt in AI and robotics field in the future we might face tough decisions around them. Some people say AI is no threat for humans, others say it is. I think both sides are right and the final outcome will be depeneded on choices made by us during development of AI.
We are safe for a while. From the backflip to the destruction of humanity is still a long way. ;)
DeleteI recommend interview with Elon Musek, the topic begins in about 48 minutes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2876&v=2C-A797y8dA
The number of subjects connected with future, robots and AI is so big and it’s everywhere. I feel a little bit overwhelmed. I think we will be replaced by robots. With every year steps are so monumental, It can’t be true but it is. Robots from Boston are so similar to animals. I’m sure we have no breaks to tell stop and quit building this robots, people want more and more but it so dangerous. Of course I can tell many of advantages but now I can’t even think about them because they too real for me. I’m really afraid.
ReplyDeleteNo, a pet is a pet. Robot can’t be a pet. It’s not possible! Robot should be perceive as help no as a substitute!
I’m going to sound paranoid but… Atlas looks like droid war soldiers from the Star Wars movies. Just give him a weapon and he’s ready for action:) Above you linked an interview with Elon Musk, who’s sharing his concerns about the AI development. I don’t need to hear no more!
ReplyDeleteBut as long as they don’t put ‚brains’ into robot ‚bodies’, I’m okay with it. The idea of machines replacing people at work doesn’t really scare me. Have you heard about the basic income project? It is very likely that in the future people won’t have to earn money to make a living. Monotonous or frustrating jobs will no longer exist, and I believe no one will miss them. We’ll surely find something better to occupy our time:)
As for robo-pets… Actually, it’s the best use of the word ‚pet’ I’ve heard of, as I believe people are not in a position to evaluate other living creatures out there. A dog can make a ‚companion’ or even a ‚friend’ - something that droids will never become. I like the looks of a SpotMini, though. Its bouncy, tiny steps remind me of lamas or something.
PS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAGv_mOQngc
;)
1. It's a good question. In daily life we meet with AI and robots, but not exactly like robots from Boston Dynamics company. I honestly say that I never knew this company and its products before. If the robots look like the ones in the movie, then we will be able to hire them in magazines. The only issue is the price, because the magazine employee does not make much money. But such a robot can be a big expense. The employee also works a little bit more efficiently (not counting holidays etc.).
ReplyDelete2. Oh, no, sorry :) I have a dog, a cat, and two turtles. That's enough for me. Besides, I would rather adopt a pet and not buy it ;)
Our lifes are getting easier and more comfortable because of automatization for quite a long time. Lets start with dishwasher, probably most of you use one.. and it is quite comfortable, doesn't it? So lets proceed.. escalators, automatic doors.. are you scared of them? And those are just few examples of robots we've acustomed in our everyday life. And I think that our future will be more comfortable and letting robots to do some routine everyday tasks for us will let us focus on other problems and put our energy somewhere elese.
ReplyDeleteI am following Boston Dynamics from their early beginnings and I'm really impressed about their work. Especially robot flip.
ReplyDeleteI believe robots can help and serve people. Not at wars but as Stefania wrote they could do boring jobs that have to be done.
About advanced AI machines I think we should believe Musk :)
I don't think robot can substitute someones pet, maybe if he's from Japan like MichaĆ reminded. But for sure I would like to have
SpotMini to help me with some stuff.
this is future, but for me it's very abstract. I don't feel good when i think about robot in shop. Maybe i can control my robot but i don't have idea what is in alien machine. i accept many machines but my dishwasher stay in kitchen and i I'm sure she will not come out of it...
ReplyDeleteI think that living with highly developed robots can be very comfortable for people- robots can replace them while performing arduous physical labor. Nonetheless, I believe that artificial intelligence is a threat to mankind. What will happen once a robot grows aware that dominating over people might be in fact beneficial? Another threat is robots’ capability of producing further copies of robots with neither man’s knowledge nor control.
ReplyDeleteHighly developed artificial intelligence might pose a threat to mankind. Similarly as in case of nuclear binding energy - it can either help it or destroy it. As for today, I would not like to have a mechanical dog whatsoever. I like my German shepherd a lot, even with the advantages and disadvantages that come with it.
I think that humanoid robot are only prototypes and inspiration for industry robots. Robots with 'real' hands or legs is not good for automation. We should find other, better moving capabilities - imposible for humans.
ReplyDeleteAt the moment we usage robots. In example ABS or other security sysem in car have a inteligent algoritms. We trusts it.
In my opinion we should not be afraid robots, but use it for improvement our live.
1. I think that in the future robots will mostly be helpful for people. Even now if we count iRobot as a robot its very useful and makes our life easier. And for sure it won't try to destroy humanity ;) The concern about robots crushing mankind is true cause even if the creator will have control of the code of robot, some people will may try to corrupt it and set the robots against humans so we will never have 100% certainty that robots will be friendly.
ReplyDelete2. I think I would like to have spotMini as a pet. It looks really cool and have a lot of abilities. I'm sure that they are working on improving it so with new updates it will be gaining new skills :)
I do appreciate modern technology, especially the robotics field. I was really impressed by machines from Boston Dynamics. Maybe they don't have so smooth movements as a living person, but they could imitate a lot of human actions. And that's what scares me the most. I'm afraid that, in a near future, robots will substitute most of human work and activities. I don't think it's a good idea. The world conquer by machines frighten me.
ReplyDeleteSome time ago, I watched film called " Ex Machina". It was about a robot-girl, who looks so similar to human being, that she could lie and manipulate emotions, to achieve her goals. She behave just like a normal girl, but the diffrence from a real person, was that she couldn't feel what is right and what is wrong. She ended killing everybody around her.
I am not against technology development, but I am afraid of self-thinking machines, who could get the idea, that "We are useless".
At first I recommand you movie called "I robot" with Will Smith. It shows times when robots are common and help people, but not only. I don't want to spoiler so I won't say any more word, just watch it :)
ReplyDeleteThis days robots are common invention in our lives, not with AI (rich people are exception) but they are. I think that in not so far future people will live with AI robots, and they will be more common during wars. I don;t think that AI could be so much powerfull that robots will become alike humans and control all world.
I'm big animal lover, and I can't live without them, even if I am allergic to them.I don't think that robot would replace sweet furry animal who loves you and want you to be with him all his live. Robot's can't love from deep of heart like animals do. Robot can only have program, but it isn't like real love. I know that in Japan there are some people who have robo-doll talking and moving and even it looks like real human, but I think that it wouldn't ever feel love.