ROBOTS ARE COMING!

Edwards, Cliff (2004) Ready to buy a Home Robot? BUSINESS WEEK, July 19, p. 84

Robots are coming. Some see this as the beginning of the end of human beings, and others see this as the start of mechanical assistance that will make our lives better.
BUSINESS WEEK takes the second position.

Robots at the moment are divided into those already embedded in appliances and those that move. Here are some of the robots now available.

1) ENTERTAINMENT ROBOTS For as little as $100.00 to about $1800, one can purchase a small pet that does tricks and does some communicating. Seniors who own some of these pets are likely to bond with them.
2) APPLAINCE ROBOTS These creatures vacuum and cut grass.
3) IMMOBOTS Are embeds that trigger your alarm, start the coffee maker, and in your medicine cabinet tell you about the weather and pollen count.
4) ASSISTIVE ROBOTS help you carry and fetch things. They are also “exoskeletons” that when worn can dramatically increase your strength.
5) ANDROIDS do more intellectual tasks. They have human forms, but it is the intellectual and emotional component sought after by humans that make these creatures desirable. They can amuse. Future ones can protect, counsel, and console. The cost is $53,000.00. One of these creatures conducted an orchestra rehearsal.

Future robots should be more impressive or threatening depending upon your perspective.