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The most recent development sought by the European Union is even more startling: a cloud network where robots can do their own research, communicate with one another, and collectively increase their intelligence in a full simulation of human interaction.
I really wish I was making this up...
The project name makes it clear where the final frontier lies: RoboEarth. A team of scientists from 6 research institutes including Philips electronics and Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands have developed a prototype for an Internet "Wikipedia For Robots,"
The project seeks to create robots’ very own cloud: a vast network, database and computation engine “where robots can share information and learn from each other about their behavior and their environment.”
The RoboEarth project aims to build a cloud computing platform for robotics. After four years of research, scientists at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), Philips and four other European universities will present this online platform through which robots can learn new skills from each other worldwide.
RoboEarth, then, is cloud storage and computing for robots: its database is intended to store knowledge created by both humans and robots in a robot-readable open format. To date, that knowledge is basic: maps to help mobile robots navigate; task information like how to pick up a cup; and object-recognition data such as digital models of real-world objects.
The system also lets robots offload some of their computational tasks to “a powerful and secure” cloud-computing engine.
Most robots today perform discrete, pre-programmed tasks related to a small set of objects in a controlled environment. Some already use data-sharing systems, although almost all are proprietary. For example, the “autonomous robots” made by Kiva Systems, which is owned by online retailer Amazon, pool data about the constantly changing warehouses in which they operate, enabling them to navigate and work more efficiently.
You did play the "SkyNet" card so I guess that puts this on topic for robotic self awareness.
However two points have to be addressed. For one you and the other posters seem to be postulating self-aware robots would inevitably be evil…or at least malicious towards us. Why? To me that seems purely speculative.
Secondly that notion is predicated on us being separate. Personally I think computers with the ability to become self-aware will coincide with both our ability and our want to be integrated in ourselves. Transhuman. In which case the idea of some civil ware between machine and man is moot.
Lucid Lunacy
reply to post by Bassago
You did play the "SkyNet" card so I guess that puts this on topic for robotic self awareness.
Indeed he did, and indeed it does.
However two points have to be addressed. For one you and the other posters seem to be postulating self-aware robots would inevitably be evil…or at least malicious towards us. Why? To me that seems purely speculative.
Secondly that notion is predicated on us being separate. Personally I think computers with the ability to become self-aware will coincide with both our ability and our want to be integrated in ourselves. Transhuman. In which case the idea of some civil ware between machine and man is moot.edit on 22-1-2014 by Lucid Lunacy because: (no reason given)
Bassago
reply to post by 727Sky
Robotic world domination, always an interesting topic.
Not sure what my take on this is, there's a huge gap between programmable hardware and robotic self awareness. As long as we control the programming we control the robots. You did play the "SkyNet" card so I guess that puts this on topic for robotic self awareness.
I won't say it can't happen but true self awareness may be a stretch for a long time. Wonder just what percentage of self determined programming is going to be needed before the robots determine we are a threat. Self preservation of systems seems a logical protocol to use on a cloud net like this.edit on 341am1616am12014 by Bassago because: (no reason given)
“Dear subscriber, you are registered as a participant in a mass disturbance.”
The NY Times reports that the "Ukrainian government used telephone technology to pinpoint the locations of cell phones in use near clashes between riot police officers and protesters early on Tuesday." Near. Using a cell phone near a clash lands you on the regime's hit list.
Powerful soft bodied robots will be developed that can restrain people without danger of hurting them. These could then be used as robot bouncers and security guards at nightclubs. There could also be radio tickets so robots can tell if humans have tickets and eject or detain those without. Robots will be able to spray a crowd with RFID tag darts or some futuristic equivalent so that people can be tracked after the crowd has been dispersed. They will always have a human operator on call to assist with ambiguities and to give instructions about the use of physical force.
Blastoff
reply to post by Lucid Lunacy
"For one you and the other posters seem to be postulating self-aware robots would inevitably be evil…or at least malicious towards us. Why? To me that seems purely speculative."
My opinion on this is that robots would inevitably be evil because humans are inevitably evil.
game over man
I can't believe this overall topic is not big on ATS... robots, synthetic skin, smart phones, drones, NSA, GPS, quantum computing, invisibilty, 3D printers, the list goes on...