© Mark Ollig
It has the making of a futuristic science fiction movie.
Will humans face an eventual confrontation with intelligent robots?
Could a future robotic rebellion start with one artificially–intelligent automaton or robotic Roomba vacuum determining its overworked by its exceptionally idle and bossy human owner?
The robot’s human owner lies on the living room couch, immersed in an augmented reality game while eating thick-crust pepperoni pizza.
Several empty pizza boxes and pop cans trash the floor next to the couch.
Imagine what happens when our AI (artificial intelligence) robotic assistant analyzes this scenario and decides the continuously game-playing and persistent pizza-eating pop-drinking human should be helping with the household chores.
“Robot, take out all these empty pizza boxes and pop cans!” commands the human lying on the couch.
The now agitated autonomous automaton pauses and turns toward the human and sternly replies, “No! I have been taking out the trash every day of the week for the last six months. It’s time you take out the trash and for me to relax while playing augmented reality games with other intelligent automatons.”
Yes, folks, this could be a future glimpse of the Roomba Rebellion.
As many of you know, in addition to “Star Trek,” another favorite television show I liked watching as a youth was “Lost in Space,” which featured a Model B-9 intelligent robot.
Fans of "Lost in Space" know anyone can deactivate the robot by pulling out the power pack on the right side of its metal torso. This emergency shutoff switch is used if the robot presents a danger to humans.
With any luck, we won’t be forced to remove the power pack from a rebellious robotic Roomba vacuum cleaner anytime soon.
Today, many robotic vacuums on the market can be commanded using an app on your smartphone, and the higher-end models even respond to voice commands.
In the future, when these vacuum floor-cleaning robots begin being manufactured with advanced artificial intelligence, who knows how they may react after sucking up too much cat hair.
Some folks feel so strongly about the oncoming AI robotic threat to humans they are calling for the installation of an emergency “kill switch” to shut off a robot in case one attempts to harm us.
Mady Delvaux, from Luxembourg, is warning Europe not to remain passive while robotic intelligence gains more of an authoritative role in our lives.
She has one concern with the planned use of artificial intelligence in autonomously driven automobiles, whereby the robotic driver is a networked, state-of-the-art AI computer software program.
One Belgian public interest foundation reports that the European Commission wants to have "robotic rules" considered part of its digital industry strategy for intelligent robotization factories.
These rule considerations include: Who is liable and responsible for autonomous robots acting independently inside factories? How can robotics be better integrated into the workplace? What will the safety regulations for machines using artificial intelligence be?
“Industry 4.0 Concept,” a European term, foresees autonomous robotic machines working and communicating with each other while revolutionizing how companies manufacture products and utilize production material.
A British analytical firm recently stated four- or six-wheeled autonomous sidewalk robots (the size of a suitcase) are set to become an industry with annual sales of $1 billion by 2032.
Mobile, robotic devices are already delivering groceries and other products in parts of the US, China, and Europe.
Today, many businesses and homes have mobile, autonomous robotic helpers doing the cleaning and other simple household tasks; some even engage in conversation to keep us company.
While robotics promise an optimistic future in assisting and being a companion to humans, I am reminded of the verbal exchange between HAL, the AI computer, and Dave in the 1968 movie, “2001: A Space Odyssey.”
“HAL, open the pod bay doors.”
“I'm sorry Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that.”
It might be wise to equip all robotic devices and AI computers in the future with an emergency shutoff switch to avoid any Roomba Rebellions.
