Rodney Brooks (Rethink Robotics Co-founder) – Robots and the AI Bubble (full panel) | Disrupt NY (May 2017)

Chapters

Abstract

Exploring the Future of Robotics: Innovations, Challenges, and Ethical Implications

Introduction

The field of robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) is evolving at an unprecedented pace, reshaping industries and societal norms. This article delves into various aspects of this evolution, from the cutting-edge advancements in collaborative robotics and AI capabilities to the ethical and societal implications of their widespread adoption. Drawing insights from experts like Lora Kolodny and case studies, we explore how these technologies are not only transforming the way we work and interact with machines but also raising critical questions about their impact on jobs, ethics, and the future of human-robot interaction.

The Rise of Collaborative Robotics

Rethink Robotics, with its flagship robots Baxter and Sawyer, epitomizes the advancements in collaborative robotics. These robots, equipped with force sensing in every joint, are designed to operate safely alongside humans in complex manufacturing environments. Their human-like features, such as expressive eyes and friendly faces, enhance human-robot interaction, making them predictable and easier to work with. This development marks a significant shift from traditional industrial robots, which lack such interactive capabilities and pose safety risks due to their inability to react to obstacles. These robots utilize force sensing in every joint, enabling them to measure and react to forces, preventing collisions and injuries. In contrast, existing industrial robots lack awareness of their surroundings, posing safety risks.

Biomimicry: A Key to Safer, More Dexterous Robots

Biomimicry, the imitation of natural biological systems, is critical in designing robots that can safely and skillfully operate in human-centric environments. This approach is not limited to humanoid robots; even non-humanoid machines can evoke emotional responses and be perceived as companions, expanding the scope of how robots can integrate into daily life. Incorporating human-like design elements, such as eyes, faces, and gestures, can significantly enhance human-robot interaction and predictability.

Amazon’s Role in Robotics

Amazon’s significant investment in robotics, exemplified by its acquisition of Kiva Systems and the development of Amazon Robotics, underscores the growing importance of robotics in the logistics and fulfillment sectors. Amazon Robotics has a large team dedicated to developing and deploying robotics solutions. While Rethink Robotics and Amazon are not direct competitors due to their differing focus areas, the potential for Amazon to enter the collaborative robotics space looms, given its substantial resources and interest in robotics. However, it is worth noting that Amazon is an investor in Rethink Robotics but not a major customer.

The Path to Companion Robots

The development of companion robots, envisioned to be trusted and accepted in homes, necessitates numerous technical advancements. These include enhanced AI capabilities for natural language processing and object recognition, sophisticated sensors, and societal acceptance of robots as collaborators. Such companion robots would likely have tall and skinny builds, making them better suited for homes designed for humans.

Legged Robots: The Next Frontier

Legged robots, such as Boston Dynamics’ Spot and MIT’s Cheetah, represent the future of robotics, potentially entering homes within the next decade. Their ability to navigate stairs and various terrains opens new possibilities for robot applications in everyday settings. These legged robots could be powered by electric legs, possibly with four legs instead of two, offering increased stability and maneuverability.

AI: Capabilities, Limitations, and Misconceptions

The AI landscape is rife with misconceptions, particularly regarding its capabilities and development speed. While deep learning has enabled breakthroughs like speech understanding devices, AI’s performance in one task doesn’t imply competence in others. The tech industry, fueled by venture capitalists’ assumptions, often overestimates AI’s problem-solving abilities, leading to unrealistic expectations. For instance, an AI system that labels images might not understand Japanese characters or know what weather is. This highlights the limitations of AI systems and the need for a more nuanced understanding of their capabilities.

Influence of Film on AI Perception

Films like “2001: A Space Odyssey” have greatly influenced public perception of AI. The movie’s intelligent system, Hal, remains a testament to the enduring power of science fiction in shaping societal views on technology. 2001: A Space Odyssey is celebrated for its accurate portrayal of technology, using graphic screens before their time and realistic depictions of space travel. Lora Kolodny, a robotics expert, had her childhood fascination with robots sparked by Hal. Despite Hal’s murderous tendencies, Kolodny admired its intelligence and considered the film’s portrayal of computers to have held up well compared to other 1960s science fiction.

Challenges in Adopting Robotics

The adoption of industrial robots faces hurdles such as safety concerns, outdated programming languages, and integration challenges. Rethink Robotics addresses these by creating user-friendly, safe, and easily integrable robots. Safety is a primary concern, with traditional industrial robots lacking the awareness of their surroundings, posing safety risks. Rethink Robotics’ robots, equipped with force-sensing capabilities, mitigate these risks.

Regulatory and Ethical Considerations

The deployment of robots, especially in unregulated markets, raises safety and regulatory concerns. Additionally, the debate on taxing robots, as proposed by Bill Gates, reflects the need for a nuanced understanding of automation’s impact on the workforce. The taxation of robots has been proposed as a way to offset lost payroll and income taxes due to automation. However, the feasibility and effectiveness of such a tax are subject to debate. Lora Kolodny, a robotics expert, argues that labor displacement due to automation is misguided as aging demographics have led to labor shortages worldwide.

The Human Aspect of Robotics

Lora Kolodny stresses that robots are not the primary cause of labor shortages; rather, demographic changes play a more significant role. Ethical concerns, particularly in military contexts, emphasize the need for robots to support rather than replace human decision-making.

The Road to Autonomous Vehicles

The adoption of self-driving cars is predicted to be a gradual process, with specific lanes and areas designated for these vehicles. This cautious approach reflects the need to balance innovation with public safety and acceptance. The potential for exploitation and abuse of driverless cars by pedestrians and the need for social interaction and judgment in human-car relationships are among the challenges that need to be addressed. Lora Kolodny believes that self-driving cars will initially operate in partitioned spaces, such as parking garages and designated lanes, due to safety concerns.

Notes by: QuantumQuest