Why Robots Are a Good Thing

The Honda Corporation documentary, Living With Robots, may be designed as a promotional tool, but it gives an excellent introduction to the various issues — technical, psychological and sociological — surrounding the development of bi-pedal robots. You know, the humanoid kind that so often end up being the villains in sci-fi films and stories. Honda’s experimental robot Asimo is a fascinating and awesome creation, so close to the science fictional robots of my youthful imaginings that it makes me think that the futures so often depicted in SF literature are very close indeed.

For those that don’t know about the concept of the “Uncanny Valley” — so important in this field of research, even if recently discredited somewhat (more on that at another time) — Living With Robots gives you a brief introduction to that as well.

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