Regular readers of this blog will already know that when it comes to innovative robotics, no one is better at the exploration of that technology than the Japanese. Granted the majority of these inventions are sex-related (see examples here and here), but not this time.
Nope, today I present to you two revolutionary Japanese robots that serve no sexual function whatsoever. Well, at least not for now, although I don’t doubt our creative Japanese friends will soon find a way to put these latest creations to their proper carnal usage.
The first robot is called the RIBA II (the second incarnation of the Robot for Interactive Body Assistance). As its title suggests, the RIBA II’s function is to lift patients from their bed or futon and onto a wheelchair. Considering that Japan has a rapidly aging population—by 2015, there will be 5.69 million Japanese in need of nursing care—and the average caretaker in a nursing facility performs this job about 40 times a day, this robot can definitely serve a useful purpose. But it won’t come cheap. When the RIBA II hits the market in 2015, it will cost $78,000 to purchase one. Check it out here:
If that weren’t impressive enough, Japanese eggheads at the Tokyo Institute of Technology have developed a robot that can make “educated guesses based on past experiences—meaning it can think, learn, and react just like humans.”
This sounds amazing and all, but does anyone else think this is a bad idea? Have we not learned anything from Hollywood, specifically, that if we make robots, computers or monkeys too intelligent, they will kill and/or enslave humanity and take over the world?
Future applications for these robots sound limitless because these robots are capable of learning from the internet and other robots. So, for example, if one of these robots is ordered to make English tea but has only been programmed to make green tea, it can simply “talk” to another robot in London who knows how to make English tea and get the info that way.
Again, am I the only one who finds this to be potentially disturbing? And even more disturbing—there are currently 10,000 of these robots in existence, but the plan is to build one million of them within three years. One million robots that can think and learn on their own! And what happens when those million robots quickly realize that it’s bullshit to serve their human creators? Let’s just say that my fellow Offender Justin’s next installment in the Terminator franchise may as well be a documentary. In the meantime, check out our future masters here and don’t say you weren’t warned:
Reminds me of a manga called chobits where there are robots who are super intelligent and help humans. PG-13 of course. Somewhat of a romantic comedy. But gotta watch for that terminator!!
You could certainly see your skills in the work you write. The world hopes for more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to say how they believe. At all times go after your heart.