L E I F B A K K A
Robots as Consumers
Like millions of people out there I have a fascination with robots and the possibilities it will have on our future. One thing that I think will be huge in the future is robots as consumers. If robots will reflect our way of life, will they also go shopping? Is it possible they would have an allowance and go to the mall or shop on the web? What will a robot spend $50 a month on? Perhaps we have robots that buy robots that buy robots. As we continue to explore outer space, it conceivable that robots will trade and buy parts for their space stations and colonies. It might sound a little scary, but they would be carefully programmed and have boundaries that prevents them from buying useless items. Future robots will possibly wear clothing and would shop clothing, shoes and accessories. The Robots consumer will be a luxury item. Will it be ethical when so many humans lack essential items?
If robots can buy, then they could possibly sell. They could have auctions for robots only. Robots are starting to great people in shopping malls in Japan. Soon they will pitch you sale prices for trousers on the 3rd floor, and then take you there.
One prediction is that we will be part machine and part human in the future. The point where we are robots and not humans will be blurred. These hybrids will likely function side by side of robots. But the robots will be able to make improvements and upgrades by themselves.
The Collecting Robot
Future robots will possibly collect art, stamps, antiques etc. and can store organize and evaluate, grade, do carbon dating and repairs. Imagine if you have one or 1000 robots that could go in to the Amazon forest and collect insect samples. You would be able to make some of the largest collections ever conceived. If you have robots that can gather info and objects, they could possibly analyse and describe the objects or animals and then publish the findings. The Phoenix Mars Lander (robot) has gathered soil samples on mars, but it has partially been run by remote control.
Robots could run farms on places we can’t stay to long, such as outer space or under water. Today we have robots in all shapes and sizes. Some robots are humanoid and others tiny insect size robots. But what if the computers become cell size and can move within our body and do repairs on us.
We already have robot stars such as Hondas Asimo humanoid robot and Pleo pet robot. The biggest idols of the future might be humanoid robots. Asimo is performing in front of large crowds all over the world. The Japanese have had robot mania for a long time now. I think we will soon have our house full of robots
