 |
Jim Destefani
Senior Editor
email | Rights for Robots?
Robots, automatons, androids, cyborgs — call them what you will, intelligent machines have been a staple of science fiction stories for decades. But have we reached the point where robots need “human” rights?
Believe it or not, the UK Department of Trade and Industry recently commissioned a report on just that topic. According to an article in the London Daily Mail, the document discussed the feasibility of giving robots rights, including the right to vote and even access to robot “health care.”
“The idea that your vacuum cleaner might be able to sue you for not giving it a lunch break is the kind of lunatic thinking that gives boffinry a bad name,” the article says. “No wonder proper scientists have queued up this week to condemn the report as ‘shallow’ and ‘poorly informed.’”
I’m not sure what “boffinry” is, but if the Daily Mail was saying the premise of this report is a bit far-fetched I’d have to agree.
To be fair, the article was talking about machines that are much more sophisticated than vacuum cleaners or even industrial robots. On the cutting edge of robot science are machines capable of "intelligent" behavior and movement, which can be programmed and re-programmed to carry out a wide variety of tasks with some degree of autonomy.
It’s hard to say where robot science may take us in the future, and there are people pondering philosophical issues surrounding the technology. But right now, the notion of rights for robots seems a bit premature at best.
|
ALSO In this issue..
- The Finisher's Perspective
- RE: The Finisher's Perspective
- Painting
- Plating
- Pollution Control
- New Products
|
Share your views, win an Amazon gift certificate.
We may not be to the point where robots need rights yet, but industrial robots for finishing, material handing and other applications are becoming increasingly common. Do you use automation in your facility? If so, have robots worked the way you anticipated? If not, why have you not implemented automation? Please share your thoughts on this topic. Click here to respond.
Respondents will be entered into a drawing for a $50 gift card to Amazon.com and will be published in the next issue of the Digital Dispatch.
Last month we asked what you thought about climate change, and whether or not human activity was contributing to global warming. Here are a few of your responses… Larry Weader of Wood-Mode Inc. says... "Are we (humans) really so full of ourselves as to believe that we are causing climate change? Shy of many nuclear blasts, human beings really have a minimal effect on the orb on which we live. Our timeline here is so small compared to the history of the Earth. Even the dinosaurs became extinct, and it was through no fault of their own. Back in the ‘70s, Time magazine ran an article about the coming “Ice Age”, and fears were rampant. Now we’re warming the globe?! Natural events have a way of taking care of themselves; volcanic eruptions and forest fires contribute more than humans to CO2 levels. Asteroid collisions happen as well. Should we bury our heads in the sand? No, but we should focus on the proper utilization of our resources, for ecological and economic benefit. Our time on Earth is probably limited, so let’s make the best of it!" Gerald Loh of Electro Loh Plating Co. Ltd, says... “In response to the question of humans accelerating or causing global warming, I say baloney. The Earth is a giant ball of matter in constant change. Compared with the whole history and life of the Earth, humans have been here for a millisecond of its history. The Earth has and will continue to change. Everything on the planet has always been here and always will be here. Nothing can be taken away and nothing added. Humans take themselves much too seriously. Our contribution ( if any) to the changing of the climate is very insignificant when compared to the changes that happen all by themselves, (earthquakes, volcanic activity, mass destruction of forests through fires, etc.). Everyone seems to think the Earth should stay the same forever. We all want to preserve everything. Well, it ain't gonna happen. The Earth will constantly change whether we want it to or not. And do not forget that humans are made from the Earth and will return to the Earth. We are as much a part of this planet as everything else. We should not believe that we are separate and different. We are made of the same building blocks as everything else.“ Wayne Czerniak says... “We live in a extremely wasteful society today and should be ashamed. Take a visit to your local landfill site. Probably 75% of the garbage there could be recycled in some way. The remainder could be incinerated to supply energy. If the average person does not think that we are responsible he is obviously part of the problem. Just do the little things.
Do not let your car idle when not necessary. Shut off lights that are not being used. Use energy efficient lights in the home and office. Recycle everything. Leave something left over for your kids and their kids. Come on, get real.” Jason Kelly of SUMMA Technology Inc. says... “Global warming is taking place at this point in time. It has taken place at other times in Earth’s history. I think sound stewardship of our natural environment and carefully managing the resources it provides us is critical in minimizing the effect humans have on this apparently natural climatic cycle. Controlling known greenhouse gas emissions is a logical way to do this. The affluent nations of the world must lead the way in this endeavor. The example set by the leading nations of the world will have the greatest impact on the human-variable component of the global warming equation.” Congratulations to Jason Kelly, who is the winner of this month’s $50 gift certificate to Amazon.com!
 |
Brought to you by:
 |
FEATURE ARTICLE - Don't Starve Your Gun For Air!
Pressure drop and lack of air volume are two of the many causes of imperfections in the finishing process. This article gives tips to avoid them. PAINTING CLINIC - Painting Zinc
A reader is looking for advice on painting zinc substrates. To read the response of our expert Carl Izzo, click above.
PAINTING FORUM - Thermochromic Paint
A reader is looking for a supplier of thermochromic paint that changes colors over a temperature range of 70-250F. If you think you can help, click here.
 |
Brought to you by:
 |
FEATURE ARTICLE - The Technology of Tiny Parts
Plating parts smaller than a baby’s eyelash requires precision, control, engineering and an appreciation for the delicate nature of the parts. Read how one company developed this expertise into a market niche.
PLATING CLINIC - Increasing Copper Concentration
A reader has trouble controlling metal concentration in his copper sulfate plating bath. Be sure and click above to read the response of our plating expert Art Kushner.
PLATING FORUM - Staining on Die-Cast Zinc Parts With Electroless Plating
A reader is having issues with brown stains on electroless nickel-plated zinc die-cast parts. If you think you may have a solution, click here.
 |
Brought to you by:
 |
FEATURE ARTICLE - Steps for Safe Hazmat Shipping
Shippers can ensure the safe transportation of hazardous materials by following the six steps outlined in this article.
POLLUTION CONTROL CLINIC - Understanding the VOC Content of Coatings
A reader using spreadsheets to calculate and report the VOC content of his coating formulations is looking for advice. Click above to read expert Stephen R. Schulte's ideas.
POLLUTION CONTROL FORUM - Can I Eliminate My Incinerator?
This finisher wants to know if he still needs to run his incinerator at high temperature. If you have any thoughts, click here.
From the product repository of PF Online
|
