(Photo Credit: Emilja Spirkoska 2011)
Dr Genevieve Bell states in a 2008 forum,
“Technology is evolving faster than society”, which at first comes across as a
dramatic overstatement, but grows more realistic with every technological step
society accepts. It’s no longer a
question of ‘do we have the technology’, but are we ‘ready’ for it? And is it
‘morally sound’. When we were asked in
class if we would have a house with the technology to do everything for you,
there was silence. Then, only when prompted, did we answer with the idea that
it would be ‘weird’ to have too much technology. Followed by a flashback of the
creepy, yet socially accepted, ‘Romomaida’ and movies such as ‘I, Robot’. But
is this what people were thinking before with high-tech cars, dishwasher and mobile phones?
Were they considered ‘creepy’ technology?
In the
week 8 lecture we were shown a clip of Paro the robotic baby seal who is used
as a therapeutic pet. Paro is slightly disturbing. The basis behind Paro is sound
and there are no real reasons, as of yet, to discourage the use of Paro.
However, for me it is a disturbing step towards personal robots and the reoccurring
‘I, Robot’ nightmare. Whilst for others it is a huge step in self-preservation.
References:
Bell, G. 2008. "Digital Economy Fourm: presentation by Dr Genevieve Bell (intel)" Youtube video, posted April 28 2009. Accessed April 29 2012.
Robomaid Australia. "Robomain RM-770 Demonstration Video" Youtube video, posted December 5 2010. Accessed April 30 2012.
IMDB, 2004. "I, Robot" Accessed 30 April 2012.
Passages Hospice, 2011. "PARO Therapeutic Robot" Posted November 1 2011. Accessed April 30 2012.
Tim's blog delves into the idea of cruel intentions via social media and the result of robotics to date.
Jae's blog discusses the new trend of employers asking for your personal facebook password and the consequences that follow.
