In the age of computers, things evolve exponentially. In just a few generations robots have
gone from a scientific fantasy, to a playful curiosity, to entering the
battlefield to replace and/or augment their human counterparts.
We are
already at the point where we have to consider what the next step of robotic
evolution looks like. According to robotics engineers, it appears that at some
point in the near future the next step could very well be whatever the next
generation robot chooses for itself.
The humanoid robot is now poised to
take a leap from a mere facsimile of human behavior to one that futurists
suggest will not only walk like a human, but will possess self awareness, as
well as a full range of high-tech computational spectrum analysis and
capabilities . . . and emotions.
So far, development in
humanoid robots has been limited to their physicality. A level of advancement
has now been achieved that it is leading to serious concern about the economic
impact of humans
being outsourced to robots for tasks as diverse as service, manufacturing,
nursing, housework, yard maintenance and full-fledged agricultural duties. Some are predicting that robots of all
types could fully
replace humans by 2045. Artificial intelligence is now advancing to a point
where a new type of brain can be offered to compliment the relatively menial
tasks of modern-day robotics, hinting at the next stage of evolution.
It
is typical of any science with military applications to evolve in a dual- or
even multi-use fashion. For example, humanoid robots were initially advertised
as a study in how to benefit those who have lost limbs; and, indeed, this has
been a noted benefit. However, the real money -- the black budget money -- goes
into applications which can be downright frightening.
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