Human vs Robots: Technology Pushes Forward
Picture yourself paying a visit to Westworld. What would you do? In this fictional world of human and automatons, the robots begin to malfunction and started to develop their own conscious mind. As the series continues, these automatons begin to massacre the guests (human) entering the world to fight for their rights. However, rather than focusing on physical strength, Westworld dived deep into the cognitive ability of the automatons.
You might think of a world of human and robots living together is all fiction, however, a society cohabiting with robots might hit closer to home than it seems.
Sophia the robot was our first ever “robot citizen”, she was granted a passport by Saudi Arabia in 2017. A humanoid robot designed by Hanson Robotics, aiming to convince people AI is good for the world. Many might not know, Sophia has a great following on social media (both lovers and haters), starred in a short film and even sat in the front row during Alexander Wang’s fashion show. This robot is already more privileged than many other actual human beings on earth.
On the official website, it stated that Sophia is a “creation of a human-crafted science fiction character”, the latest invention combining innovation, engineering and artistry. She is also part of the research for the Loving AI project, which aims to explore how robots can adapt to users’ needs through interaction with people. The project aims to understand human-robot relations and the potential for robots’ service in entertainment applications. This is a humanoid robot that is constantly feeding in the environment around her, learning and gauging the situation surrounding her.
Sophia’s company, Hanson Robotics, is a Hong Kong-based company planning to mass-produce humanoid robots by the end of 2021. These lifelike robots are designed to help with healthcare, loneliness and other affected industries amid COVID-19. David Hanson, the founder of Hanson Robotics, commented that “Sophia and other Hanson robots are unique by being so human-like. That can be so useful during these times where people are terribly lonely and socially isolated.”
This poses a question to the human race- will robots become a threat for us?
Let’s look at some ways in how robots can support us in daily life:
1. Enhancing Work Environment
Robots can do things that humans can’t do or things we don’t want to do. It can support and take over risky jobs such as heavy lifting and chemical testing. This then can allow humans to focus on other roles with what they’re best at- creative problem-solving. Automation in a workforce acts as a supporting role to repetitive, physical and quantitive tasks when no explanation is needed. They can also be programmed to do a task more accurately and efficiently. Companies developing robots are looking to implement this technology in optimising work environments, rather than taking over the role of human.
2. Creating New Opportunities
You might think having robots doing labour work takes away job for people, instead, it’s actually creating more and new opportunities for manufacturing jobs. As this technology becomes more feasible, production is soon to be allowed domestically. New skills and jobs will be created to build the tools needed for robots. It also creates more roles in the IT department in companies as there will be people needed to manage and maintain these robots at work. Robots push humans to learn and develop more unique skills.
3. Improving Customer Experience
When implementing robots in the service industry, you think about where and when a human’s touch is needed. Otherwise, in many situations, robots can efficiently complete tasks in the service industry. Repetitive tasks can be where robots will take over, making sure the experience for the customer is seamless. When brands focus on optimising the experience of customers, it will also contribute to future purchases. Support from robots can make purchases quicker and more convenient.
A world of humans and robots working with each other is a world of possibilities. As technology pushes forward, humans will also need to evolve alongside. Otherwise, the rejection of automation will put workers responsibilities at risk.
