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Blogs by John A. Autero
Don't be Afraid of the Big Bad Motoman 8/22/2015 3:26:15 AM
Science fiction has portrayed robots in a variety of ways over the years. From hulking masses of metal and electronics that destroy towns and cities (War of the Worlds for example) to the cute and interesting variety (R2D2 or Tweeky from the Buck Rogers TV show) as well as the highly intelligent variety (C3PO, Science Officer Ash from Alien - who was really more of a cyborg than a robot... but you get the idea).
In today's world, the way robots look and the way they operate in industry is based on the function they need to do. Most industrial robots have employed a single arm to position, weld, cut or paint, but recently double armed robots are appearing in industry where some form of complex assembly or operation is required. There are even robots that mimic animals like this one called "The Big Dog".
Big Dog was designed to carry military equipment and supplies in a war zone. It's incredibly lifelike and incredibly scary. I can just imagine a Big Dog walking down the street in my neighborhood with a 50 cal strapped to his back and taking out recalcitrant citizens. But that's a story for a later time.
I find it interesting that humans try to make robots more "human-like" by dressing them in clothes or adding a head and smiling face. I guess it's just our nature. We give our dogs and cats cute names, dress them in Halloween costumes and talk to them about all of our problems. Where as another human may laugh at or scold you about your problems, animals just listen and pass no judgement. Maybe this will be the next trend in modern robotic evolution... robots that provide human compassion and companionship. Maybe they will even serve us ice cream....
