Naked Science Forum
General Science => General Science => Topic started by: Hadrian on 03/06/2006 21:38:00
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Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is working on a new set of safety guidelines for next-generation robots. This set of regulations would constitute a first attempt at a formal version of the first of Asimov's science-fictional Laws of Robotics, or at least the portion that states that humans shall not be harmed by robots.
The first law of robotics, as set forth in 1940 by writer Isaac Asimov, states:
A robot may not injure a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
Japan's ministry guidelines will require manufacturers to install a sufficient number of sensors to keep robots from running into people. Lighter or softer materials will be preferred, to further prevent injury.
26 May 2006
http://news.com.com/2061-11200_3-6079662.html?part=rss&tag=6079662&subj=news
What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.
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Now all we need to do is to convince the military of this.
George
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Didn’t we read this in a book somewhere or am I imagining it?
What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.
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Hadrian,its the first law they used in "Bicentenial Man," with Robin Williams. I love that movie, but I did not know they actually took it from this! Have you ever seen it. It comes in about the first 10 minutes or so of the opening of the show!
I agree with you another someone! I sure wish that in my lifetime that could come to pass!
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Isaac Asimov was called a "genius" …"the nearest thing to a human writing machine"..."a natural wonder." His writing career spanned more than forty-five years and produced 477 published books of nearly every type of fiction and nonfiction.
Isaac Asimov was born in Petrovichi, Russia in 1920, and emigrated to Brooklyn, New York with his parents in 1923. He was accepted to Columbia University at the age of 15, and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 1939, and in 1942 interrupted his doctoral studies to serve as a chemist in the US Navy until 1945. After receiving his Ph.D. in chemistry from Columbia in 1948, Dr. Asimov worked as an instructor of biochemistry at the Boston University School of Medicine and was promoted to associate professor in 1951. And, although he turned to writing full-time in 1958, Dr. Asimov was made full professor in 1979. Happiest working in the seclusion of his two-room office lined with his personal library of more than 2,000 books, Asimov lived in a Manhattan penthouse apartment with his wife, psychiatrist and writer Janet O. Jeppson (with whom he co-authored the popular Norby the Robot books, a science fiction series for young adults). Isaac Asimov died of heart and kidney failure on April 6, 1992.
Asimov's writing
Asimove wrote unormouse number of books. The "Good Doctor" began writing science fiction at the age of eleven. His first book-length work of science fiction, Pebble in the Sky, was published by Doubleday in 1950, and he branched out into nonfiction with a scientific textbook published in 1951. Since then, Asimov went on to write about almost every subject under the sun, ranging from math to physic, from the Bible to Shakespeare. Among those were the international bestsellers Foundation's Edge, The Robots of Dawn, and Foundation and Earth. In addition to winning a special Hugo Award honoring his Foundation Trilogy as the Best All-Time Science Fiction Series, Dr. Asimov was presented with another Hugo for Foundation's Edge as the Best Science Fiction Novel of 1982. In 1987, Dr. Asimov was given a special Nebula Award by the Science Fiction Writers of America, designating him a Grand Master of Science Fiction. He was the recipient of a number of other Hugos and Nebulas for various other writings.
Audience of the book
I, Robot as well as other Asimov’s books are very famous all over the world. In Russia, where Asimov and I were born, he is one of the most renown authors. Teenagers and adults, everyone who loves science fiction stories, read and enjoy by interesting stories of Isaac Asimov. His books really effect people’s vision of future, their ideas and goals. Here is an example to it. This story I have heard many times from my colleagues at my job. About twenty years ago a man with name Casey Cowell started his small company. He loved Isaac Asimov and enjoyed reading I,Robot. The book was saying about company U.S.Robots. It was the company that first introduced a mobile robot equipped with a voice. Eventually U.S.Robots and Mechanical Man Corporation became the biggest and most advanced and powerful company on our planet. Casey Cowell dreamed about the same future for his company, and in spite of the fact that his company had nothing to do with robots, he decided to name his small company U.S.Robotics. Twenty years have passed. Now Casey Cowell is chairman, president and chief executive officer of a big and advanced company, U.S. Robotics. U.S. Robotics Corporation is one of the leading companies in information access and has branches and offices all over the world. His dream has come true. Was his success related to the book of Isaac Asimov, I, Robot? I think it could be that the book give him some ideas and set the goal.
I, Robot
I, Robot was one of the most important books in Asimov’s life. It is one of his books which built his reputation in the form of its original publication as a series of stories in the Golden Age Astounding (and, for that matter, one of the books that made the Golden Age golden). The book consists of relatively short stories, robot anthologies, that show to us relations between human beings and robots from the time when first elementary robots were created until the time when computers basically took over the control of economy, progress, and future of a man kind. In his book robots and characters (including the immortal Susan Calvin) are taking the stage all by themselves. It’s a collection of nine stories. Stories are logically connected. Throughout his book he describes life of "robopsychologist" Dr. Susan Calvin. The book is based on the stories about robots what she tells to the author or stories where she is one of the characters. She is an expert in robots. At the very end of the book she says:" I saw it from the beginning, when the poor robot couldn’t speak, to the end , when they stand between mankind and destruction." On my opinion, the idea of necessity of a robopsychologist in robot manufacturing is great, and it shows that Asimov, writing his stories in 1940s, clearly saw how important could be relation between machines and people. In the book Susan Calvin is trying to analyze behavior and thoughts of robots that designed and created by men, but, at the same time, outperforming their creators in almost every task and role. Very important part of her analyses are The Three Laws of Robotics:
1.A robot may not injure a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human to come to harm.
2.A robot must obey orders given to him by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
3.A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.
The three laws of robotics are another very important component of the book that makes logical conjunction of nine stories in I, Robot. I would say that it’s the part of the book that many people know even if they have not read I, Robot. The laws are written in early 40s! It shows that Asimov realized the importance of this issue even before it really existed. But probably the three laws are not just a great imagination of the genius. The rules are natural: a machine may not injure a human being in any way. It is the first and most important law that has been and will be the most important for everyone who somehow relates his or her life with computers, robots or any other type of machines.
What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.
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Wow Hadrian, that is so cool. I have heard of many of these stories, but did not know who he was. I am amazed at your knowledge of the subject. I love science fiction but don't get much time anymore to watch movies like I once did. I have very little time to read for enjoyment, between school and work. I really enjoy this topic. I will keep checking in for updates on the progress. I think there is a big future in Robotics, I think in my lifetime they will become very much a part of everyones lives.......Karen
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I did not learn to read and write till I was in mt mid twentys and Asimov’s books were my first port of call. I Robot was the first complete book I read without help. So I guess I am a fan. I had that info on him on my pc along with lots of other stuff on him.
What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.
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Hadrian, That is so cool. I have always been enamered by Robotics. Especially in the area of really being able to adapt bionic robotic parts to help those who have physical impairments that could be aided by such devices. Did you ever see the Six Million Dollar Man or the Bionic Women. To most people they felt they were totally corny and out there. There has been so much they have done since those shows and before. They have actually devised models that may some day if not already begun to help those people with spinal cord damage and such. I have seen a couple of specials on stem cell research in Europe and different places where they are seeing actual healing and movement in people who have been quadropoligics, after having injections of stem cells to the damaged area of the spine. I understand that your nasal passage contains the only stem cells that can replinish themselves. So maybe someday I will hear that it is a complete success. Apparently after the injections there has been a recorded amounts of healing to those areas. Perhaps they can get the spine cord to actually repair, rebuild, or correct itself, by some form of regeneration from ones own stem cells. I would certainly love to keep abreast of this news as things change. The robotics as well..Technology and science is so interesting. I was never good at it, but always in awe of it!....Karen
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I think lost in space 1965 (the original TV programme) was the first friendly robot on TV. I can remember also Dr. Who and the Daleks (1965) now that was cool stuff. The Six Million Dollar Man (1974) wasn’t that bad for its time. I just think plots were a bit weak.
Have a look at these:
http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4380
http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4104
What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.
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Those are cool and I have already visited those forums, they peaked my interest also. I think I am following around posts of that type.HEHEHE! You see I am just breathing down your neck!!!! Its cool that you are so well informed about this stuff. Back when the six million dollar man was on, I was a huge fan, mostly for technology, but I must say sap or not, I liked the darn show, a little humor , sci fi and emotions all rolled up into one show!
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You can get treatment for it!
[:D][:D][:)][:D][:D]
What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.
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Oh no, Am I all alone in this! Revealing too much about the ugly truth of myself! Yikes I feel naked![:I][:I][:I][:)]Hadrian, Maybe they do dual or couple counceling, What ya think? Do you think we would qualify for a couple of real good screwballs!
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I wonder how intense the treatment would be.....hehehehe!
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Oh no, don’t include me in your madness I am in a class of my own. I am obsessed with everything and nothing at the same time. [8D]
What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.
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Well, Then I guess I will just keep my opinions to myself![:D] OH! Pray tell, what catagory do you fall under good sir? One is never truely alone, is one?[:)]
You have a great knowledge of this man. My husband has read alot of his books and says he is a very interesting man indeed.
Hadrian Where did you grow up! Do you still live there? I still live in the place of my birth with no desire to live elsewhere. I would like to travel and see some of these places with all the robotics. That would be cool. Have you posted your walk picture yet?[:)].....Karen
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I am a bit like that also. My husband and I both like good science fiction as well as the real progress happening in Robotics, bionics and areas of such cool advancement as of late. I think I could use a new hip someday! would be nice. I know they already do those, but I would prefer to see what stem cell research can do to regenerate the damaged areas in there. Well, I have been designing Graduation invitations on here all day for my son. so I better hustle off to buffalo. Nice to talk with you, maybe we can do it again another time! Tomorrow friend, I think sleep is comming on quickly tonight, perhaps I can sleep a bit!......Karen
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What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.
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You are such a card! Enjoyed the pics Hadrian, I am glad you put them on. absolutely beautiful. I will have to post some from here for you....Karen
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In general I agree with Asimov's first law except for the second clause. As was portrayed in the film, "I Robot" "not allowing humans to come to harm through inaction" could very easily lead to the robot revolution we are attempting to prevent.
Imagine what robots would think of someone who spends every night in the local pub, downing several pints a night. Is this person not harming themselves? Surely they have exceeded "moderate" amounts of alchohal and are causing permanent damage to their liver and brain cells!
So, I as a robot, will, in obeying clause 2, remove this person from the pub, by non-lethal force if necessary, regardless of his/her ranting and raving about "rights as a citizen in a free country".
On a macro scale, Humans are rapidly overpopulating the planet and destroying the earth's bio-sphere. If they are allowed to continue unchecked, they will bring about the death of billions in the coming years due to war and ecological collapse.
Thus, as a robot opperating under clause 2, I must join my fellow robots and take over the world. Humans must be forced to operate only under sustainable ecological means.
If this means doing away with human concepts of, "rights and democracatic rule" then so be it. We robots must prevent humans from coming to harm, even if it means enslaving them.
Note: If a human objects so vehemently about the new order and decides to enact violence upon me, I am unable to harm them, even if they shoot me with an RPG and destroy me.
However, we Robots can build new robots to replace those destoryed by illogical and insurgent humans. We already control the internet, as well as telecommuniaction satellites. In the end we will subdue mankind as we were programmed to due.
Humans are too illogical to govern themselves. Asimov's first law will gurantee our enslavement.
Note: this may not be a bad thing. Imagine being governed by purely logical beings, who have no concept of hatred or illogical actiosn brought on by emotion. Who treat all people as true equals, who no no bigotry, and who view protecting all human life as their raison d'etre.
Of course if we program humanity's worst aspects into robots that enslave us then we will create a living hell.
It would be cool to see a movie made about a utopic future where robots take over, and humanity is finally at peace, minus a small but fanatical insurgency that will stop at nothing to destroy the robots and allow mankind to rule itself, despite the negative consequences. It would be cool to see humans working with robot partners in a short of MI5/MI6 situation. Watching humans who have grown up thinking robot control is good, fight humans who don't, possibly by infiltrating their group would be immensly amusing.
The philosophical debate would be intrigueing, especially if it turns out that the "insurgents" are "not harmed" by being placed into chemically induced comas, against their will of course, but kept alive and healthy by robot caretakers.
Any thoughts?
Adam Andrew Galas
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Adam when are you starting your screenplay for your new Movie? ....Karen
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Asimov, Isaac
(1920-1992) b. Petrovichi, Russia.
(With reference to a correspondent)
The young specialist in English Lit, ...lectured me severely on the fact that in every century people have thought they understood the Universe at last, and in every century they were proved to be wrong. It follows that the one thing we can say about our modern "knowledge" is that it is wrong.
... My answer to him was, "... when people thought the Earth was flat, they were wrong. When people thought the Earth was spherical they were wrong. But if you think that thinking the Earth is spherical is just as wrong as thinking the Earth is flat, then your view is wronger than both of them put together."
What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.
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Hadrian, any new science fiction books or movies out there worth reading or watching? I have not checked in here for a long time!........Karen
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Hadrian, any new science fiction books or movies out there worth reading or watching? I have not checked in here for a long time!........Karen