Robots Advance, Consumers Stall

Robots Advance, Consumers Stall

http://features.csmonitor.com/innovation/2007/05/31/robots-advance-consumers-stall/

Summary: In our daily lives we use robotics every day, whether it be a vending machine, a camera, or even a microwave. But when people knowingly attempt to use something described as a “Robot” a mental wall pops up. This mentality, theorized by scientists, is due to science fiction movies such as Terminator. Another reason why we have this mentality is that America as a country thinks of robots as UVAs in the Iraq war, where as in Japan people see robots as devices to help with their daily needs. Scientists are therefore forced to release their inventions as toys, so the younger generation can learn to live along side robots, or as “gadgets”.

Analysis: This article is important because it explains the mentality towards robots and why it is the way that it is. The idea of presenting children with robots so they begin to feel comfortable seems like a sure win to truly adapt robots into our daily lives. Our generation alone has become so dependent on computers, a type of robot, that it is a daily part of our lives. In order to truly advance in robots we as a nation need to realize that robots can be used as weapons and as daily helpers; once we have done this we will be able to truly make further advances in robotics in the average Americans daily lives whether it be in factories, at home, or on the go.