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Could You Really Love a Robot?

Posted on Oct 12, 2007 - 01:12 PM

Throughout my forthcoming book, Jump the Curve, I spend a good deal of time documenting the exponential advances occuring in the field of robotics, and toward the end of the book I advise my readers to keep a very open mind about what the future might hold in store. I must admit, however, that sometimes even I have a hard time following my own advice.

For example, earlier this month I described new research explaining how some people are becoming emotionally attached to their robots and I outlined why I thought this was a positive trend for the field of robotics. The article came on the heels of a similar article by a colleague of mine at the Motley Fool (where I am a frequent contributor) had a tongue-in-cheek piece entitled ”I Married iRobot.”

Well, it now appears that Rick may have been only slightly ahead of the curve in his prediction because I just came across this article highlighting how the University of Maastricht in the Netherlands has awarded a doctorate to a researcher who has written his thesis on the possibility of marriages between humans and robots.

Personally, I am very queasy about “Intimate Relations with Artificial Partners” (which is the official title of the researcher’s thesis), but I am quite comfortable with robots intruding on other less personal aspects of our lives.

For instance, I am a huge fan of Intuitive Surgical’s Da Vinci surgical robots and their ability to extend people’s lives by performing an increasing number of complicated surgeries. I also think Toyota’s work in developing robots to improve the quality of life for the world’s rapidly aging population as well as Oshkosh Truck’s progress in creating self-driving robotic vehicles both hold immense potential.

I guess what I am really saying is that while I love the field of robots, I am not ready to literally fall in love with robots; and I don’t think the rest of society is either. But if I’m wrong and people do start marrying robots, I wonder if it would be appropriate to give a robotic vacuum cleaner as wedding gift to a pair of human-robot newlyweds?

Robots Jump the Curve and leap Straight into the Gutter

Jack Uldrich is a writer, futurist, public speaker and host of jumpthecurve.net. He is the author of seven books, including Jump the Curve and The Next Big Thing is Really Small: How Nanotechnology Will Change the Future of Your Business. He is also a frequenter speaker on future trends, innovation, change management and executive leadership to a variety of businesses, industries and non-profit organizations and associations.

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