Are we ready to accept the social robot?

ENG101. 0721

Professor. PHYLLIS VAN SLYCK

Date:May.1.2016

Jisoo Kim

                                         Are we ready to accept the social robot?

                                    

    In our today lives, where all is digital with computers and also with social robots. People began to depend on machines a lot. A lot of scientists are now studying how robots can join the human society. Maybe, the robots in future not only help human’s work but also will be more social such as the humanoid. What do we think about the social robot? Are we ready to accept the social robot? I think that we need to know about benefits and dangers of social robot and then we have to prepare to accept the social robot in our life. 

     Some people are a little nervous about new social robots. They doubt whether we can trust all works about the social robots in an emergency. Besides, some experts said that as robots enter our home, they may steal secrets about our life that we don't want to share. In the article “The dangers of trusting robots”, By Evan Selinger and Woodrow Hartzog, the authors state that as robots become increasingly connected to the internet, and able to respond to natural language, we need to be especially vigilant about figuring out who or what we’re talking to. It shows us that we are not completely safe from an invasion of privacy by using the social robots. As author says “We are susceptible to telling our deepest, darkest secrets to anthropomorphic robots whose cute faces appear so innocent”. 

     People are worried that robot soon will be able to do everything human have to do. Even if they do, human wouldn’t accept it. In the article“Will Robots Make Humans Unnecessary?”, BY EVAN DASHEVSKY, the author said that the primary issue is that as the computerized AI robots take over and there are declining job opportunities. Many economists maintain an unshakable faith in The Market and its ability to provide jobs regardless of what robots and other assorted futuristic machines happen to be zooming around however, one part of the economy where technology has, beyond the shadow of any doubt, pushed humanity aside: manufacturing. According to research, between 1975 and 2011, manufacturing output in the US more than doubled (and that's despite NAFTA and the rise of globalization), while the number of (human) workers employed in manufacturing positions decreased by 31 percent.It found its way into China too. Already, we can see easily this situation that there are machines instead of a checker in a pharmacy store. If robots take jobs away from humans and then human rely on robots about everything, we can never know if the robot can handle ever situation. As Gallup Poll says “so, what happens when technology can do all that work for us and allow us to actually do what we enjoy with our time?” 

     On the other hands, social robots is a big help for us and we can use robots for a lot of things in human environment or in communicate for example at home, school or in workplace robots are a big help. Some robots are also used to do some dangerous work. For example, there are  in the car industry, in natural disasters and for explore the world with space ship or the ground from the ocean etc. Social Robots become all more as a part in our lives and design all more like humans, friendly have respect and disciplines. Robots are machines they can work and always could function. Although for older person, which can`t live along, need someone for help in the household and what ever and haven`t no other option is a social robots a good thing and a big help. JIBO is made by Cynthia Breazeal it can recognize faces, understand what people say, and respond in an amiable voice. Jibo's purpose is to help busy family members coordinate with one another and communicate with the outside world. Cynthia Breazeal who is an Associate Professor of Media Arts and Sciences hopes her social robot “JIBO” will become a companion for people at home.

     In the article “The Economics of Drone Delivery”, Dan Wang, Jeff Bezos promised that Amazon would soon deliver packages by drone. Also, Executives at Google Wing claim they will deliver packages in 2017 via drone. It shows us that the robots can handle lifting heavy loads, toxic substances, and repetitive tasks.  This has helped companies to prevent many accidents, also saving time and money. Companies have demoed the technology, so the real obstacle is the legal and regulatory environment.This means integrating the technologies into daily life could take a long time—or it could happen very quickly. As the Amazon CEO told “ I know this looks like science fiction however, it is not”.

  

     In conclusion, this days robots are developing and it become more compact , more capable and more flexible. We may not be able to avoid the use of robots in the future. We know the social robot has positive and negative sides. It will never be the same as God’s creation and humans will be more lazy when all more social robots consider our live. However, Robots can do a lot of things we can't even imagine yet. I believe that if we prepare to use the social robots more efficiently and safety, robots are a version of a big experiment and a good service for us humans.