Robots, Artifical Intelligence, and Andriods. Oh my!

Robots have not only been an integral part of science fiction science for as long as I can recall. In fact, according to this site, the oldest real life robot was from the late 1800’s. In just about any media that depicts the future you will find some sort of representation of a robot. Technically speaking, there are three different types of robots. The first would be just regular machines. These machines are technological devices that perform a specified task. Today, this type of robot is the most common. The second type of robot is called an android. A robot is an android when it takes the shape of a humanoid form. The third type of robot would be considered to be artificial intelligence, or AI. These robots are classified by their ability to learn and demonstrate knowledge. In 2001, the movie Artificial Intelligence: AI by Steven Spielberg depicted a story about an android boy who also had artificial intelligence. Another example of robots in science fiction media would be R2-D2 and C3-P0 from Star Wars. (Both robots are considered A1 however only c3p0 can be considered an android)

Robots in science fiction have been portrayed in both a positive and negative light. In some cases, robots benefit the human race by provided a new and easier way of life; A life where machines do all mundane tasks, such as cleaning a house, or recycling metal. In other cases, it is robots that are to blame for the downfall and destruction of all human life. Newer movies such as The Matrix and I Robot are both good example of robots bring about destruction and chaos to man. This darker light is more often shed on robots, when it comes to science fiction novels or movies. My personal guess at the reason for this is that it leaves room for a more entertaining story plot. Take, for example, the movies in The Matrix series and the movie I-Robot. They are both good example of how robots can bring about destruction and chaos to mankind.

Humans have held a fear of robots for some time now; I imagine ever since they were first created. Originally, the most common fear of robotics is that robots would one day replace man in the workplace. This has proven more than possible in history with the industrial revolution in the late 18^th and early 19^th centuries. (This was about the time of the oldest recorded robot on the internet) AS time has progress, so has the human imagination. Fears of unemployment have heightened to robots eventually taking over and replace the human race all together. This idea is supported by the fact that even though we might not know the full capacity of a human brain, it is a popularly accepted idea that a computer can be made to be much more intelligent than any human being. Lucky for us, technological advancements and research in the AI field has yet to show us any such results!Below I have listed some links to videos hosted on youtube.com showing just a couple of robots that man has already invented. The future is now!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHJJQ0zNNOM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wiw-jbjnyzc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLGk9Q49y7k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkvpEfAPXn4

“I visualize a time when we will be to robots what dogs are to humans, and I'm rooting for the machines.”

CLAUDE SHANNON, The Mathematical Theory of Communication