Are we safe from robots that can think for
themselves?
By REBECCA CAMBER
Robots that can think for themselves could soon be caring for our
children and the elderly and policing our streets, say
experts.
Scientists told yesterday of a new generation of robots which can
work without human direction.
They predict that in the next five years robots will be available
for child-minding, to work in care homes, monitor prisons and help
police trace criminals.
And while it may sound like something out of a science-fiction
film, the experts say advances in technology have made the thinking
robot possible.
A group of leading robotic researchers called for an urgent public
debate and legislation to prevent large numbers of autonomous
robots being introduced into society without considering the
potential risks to public safety.
Until now most robots have been operated by humans, usually by
remote control or verbal commands. But now autonomous machines such
as toys and vacuum cleaners which cover the room without needing
any human instructions or guidance are being introduced.
Manufacturers are exploring ways to make robotic toys look after
children, which experts say will lead to child-minding machines
able to monitor youngsters, transmitting their progress to the
parents by onboard cameras.
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In Japan, scientists are producing robots to act as companions for
the elderly and check their heart rate.
Alan Winfield, professor of electronic engineering at the
University of the West of England in Bristol, said yesterday it
would not be long before technological advances made it possible
for robots to be introduced in the home, as well as prisons and the
police service.
Speaking at a debate on robot ethics at the London Science Media
Centre, he said: "It is highly likely that in a number of years
robots will be employed both for child-minding and care for the
elderly.
"But the danger is that we will sleepwalk into a situation where we
accept a large number of autonomous robots in our lives without
being sure of the consequences.
"The outcome could be that when given a choice the robot could make
the wrong decision and someone gets hurt. They can go wrong just
like a motor car can.
"We should be aware of the future that we are letting ourselves in
for. We need to look at their safety and reliability."
His warning echoes the hit Hollywood sci-fi film I, Robot, starring
Will Smith, in which a slave robot with a mind of its own causes
chaos.
Noel Sharkey, professor of computer science at Sheffield
University, said: "Technology is increasing at an incredible
rate.
"My main worry is that these autonomous robots could be introduced
very quickly. We need to have an informed public debate now before
that happens."
The biggest advances in robots in recent years have been as weapons
of war. The U.S. military is developing battlefield robots which
will be given the ability to decide when to use lethal force.
At the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, a battlefield
robot is being developed which will use radar data and intelligence
feeds to make decisions based on a set of ethical rules, which has
been compared to an artificial conscience.
The Korean government is looking to create robotic armed border
guards as part of a £ 51million investment in robotics.