 Cast of Battlestar Gallatica
In an interview with robotics engineer Dr. Hod Lipson, Galatica Sitrep—a fan blog dedicated to all things Battlestar Galatica—asked him about robot evolution, what it means to be human, and why the bulk of robotics research is happening in the Department of Defense. We would have thrown in a question about the variety of pick-up lines robots are known for on Twitter, but maybe we’ll get our chance at the panel. Here’s an interesting snippet from the interview:Sitrep: These days, it seems like the bulk of research is happening in military robotics. Why is that, and should we be worried?
Dr. Hod Lipson: Any kind of research is driven by funding. The Department of Defense is the biggest sponsor of robotics research. In the end, however, if you’re developing AI for robotic systems, you’ll run into the same basic questions and problems whether it’s for search and rescue missions or for cleaning your house. And I think that the military focus in robotics is going to change. In Japan there’s a major push for robotics research into care for the elderly… and we’re just now starting to see the development of housecleaning robots, which is something we’ve been promised for decades, right? These are all an amazing new frontier, and it’s proving that there’s commercial viability for robot research beyond military applications.
The rest of the interesting Q&A can be found here, which includes this video of a “self-aware” robot learning to walk that Dr. Hod Lipson built. We’re kind of scared! Skynet?
Find out more at our Battlestar Galactica: Cyborgs on the Horizon on Jun 12 when cast members from Battlestar Galactica join leading roboticists to explore scientifically, philosophically and ethically the approaching frontier where intelligent machines are commonplace. Co-presented with the World Science Festival.
Related: Also part of the World Science Festival at the Y: Spotlight Science Happy Hour at 92YTribeca on June 12 and Yours to Decide: Fate, Free Will, Neither or Both? with Paul Nurse, Daniel Wegner, Patrick Haggard and Alfred Mele on June 13.
|
