Abstract The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of the advancements of robotic technology in libraries. It provides a literature-based background on the general state of robotics and adds insights related to the library setting. Additionally, it looks into the factors that libraries need to consider when planning to acquire robots, including finances, staff and technical knowledge, space and charging facilities. Finally, it provides a quick look at how this technology will affect both the libraries and communities. I. Introduction The concept of “robots” has been with humans for a long time. From the “robot-knight” plan of Leonardo da Vinci to the automatons of Jacques de Vaucanson, to the robots created by several robotics companies, people have demonstrated a fascination. The word robot came from the Czech word, “robota” which means “forced labor”. In 1921, writer Karel Capek used it in his play entitled Rossum’s Universal Robots (R.U.R.). The credit for coming up with such term, however, goes to Josef Capek, his brother. Presently, robot means a machine that performs complex actions, similar to humans or other animals; also a machine that can perform repetitive tasks, guided by automatic controls. (Shulman & Buckley, 2014). Advances in technology have allowed the world to move forward in the creation of these machines for various purposes. Libraries, being both learning and cultural hubs of societies, have unique opportunities to introduce the idea of robots.
Unbeknownst to most people, technology has been around much longer than we expect and the rate of these innovations actually coming to grips with the community is a slow one. While many scientists and engineers may be in the lab as we speak creating a robot, we
The use of robots and technology in the modern world has exponentially increased, as we gain more and more technology. Throughout human history technology has changed how we work and how we survive, from early cave men developing tools to make a task easier to the modern airliner taking hundreds of people around the world in a matter of hours. History shows that we are always looking for a way to develop, and progress as a society. Technology has advanced with us and is used to help
Robots have been useful to humans since the past. They’re made to make human life easier. Since early times people have been dreaming of making robots and different people have made different kinds of robots. Robots has been useful in the past, they’re now useful in present-time, and they’re going to be useful in the future.
The debate over whether robots are helping or hurting the workplace is more heated than ever. Advances in technology are soaring thus making an increase in the use of robots in the workplace more and more commonplace. Some believe the use of robots in the workplace can never totally result in the loss of jobs, but due to the fact that robots have invaded the workplace environment, many people fear this indicates replacement of human jobs. Although advancement in technology of robotics and artificial intelligence may offer precision, productivity, efficiency and flexibility, the loss of human jobs will be devastating to the many people who depend on their jobs to make a living and provide for their families.
Noel Sharkey has warned us that “the widespread availability of service robots has resulted from several developments that allowed robots to become mobile, interactive machines” (Sharkey 358). Robots have become a necessity for people today rather than just for science fiction or manufacturing processes, but lately we wonder whether or not if it’s safe to put our faith in the hands of cold machinery. Today, robots have been known to provide care for our children and the perhaps even the elderly. They even provide service to our men in combat. However, it doesn’t change the fact that there are those who feel
How has it changed over time? The robot has changed in many ways. In the beginning (B.C) they had an idea about a machine that could help with labor. Then in 1495 Leonardo Da Vinci sketched a robotical night, later (400 years) robots started to be entertainment
Adding robots to the workforce creates the risk of destabilizing workforce stability and causing unemployment among the traditional (human) workforce. However, doing so also opens tantalizing new possibilities and assuredly promises to revolutionize ‘work’ as it has been understood for centuries. Robots have already been integrated into the workplace for some time. For example, they function as “workers” in assembly lines and can be used to clean hallways and dispense medications in hospitals. Robotic caretakers in nursing homes might become routine although some scholars express unease about the 1 practice(Sparrow and Sparrow 2006).
Some very common robots are washers, dishwashers, automatic vacuums, and some voice activated devices. We have these robots to make everyday tasks easier, to do a better job, or to do something that humans could never do. The three main components of any given robot are the sensors, the actuators, and a computation process. The term ‘robot’ comes from the extravagant playwright by Karel Čapek who introduced the word in his hit play in the 1920’s,
The excitement of the fast-paced technology world peaked my interest throughout my high school career. As a member of my high school’s FIRST Robotics Club, designing and creating the desired motion of our robot was an eye-opening experience. After my involvement in robotics, I took it upon myself to register for an online AP Computer Science Class and to take advantage of a work study program with the information technology department. I strive to gain a knowledge base that will allow me to be a leader in the forefront of technological advancement: taking risks, improving lives, and changing the world.
Four score and fifteen years ago, artist Josef Čapek wrote a play entitled, R.U.R (Rossum’s Universal Robots), and thus coined the term “roboti” coming from the Slavonic ‘rabota’, which is derived from ‘rabu’, meaning ‘slave’. Eventually developing into the common English word ‘robot’. We now think of robots as cool machines that have limitless possibilities. Robots have become so advanced since 1921, to the point where some can, or will be able to soon, replace human jobs. It has already began to happen in factory jobs, making the manufacturing process cheaper and more efficient. Two essential jobs that will most likely be replaced within the next decade are prostitution and grocery store clerks.
In 1950, a new set of laws was created in order to meet the growing technological advancements in the field of robotics. These laws were called Asimov’s Laws. However, as we enter the 4th Industrial Revolution it is clear that these laws need to change. Robots are just changing too fast for separate disorganized government agencies to keep up with and it is clear that we need to form a Federal Robotics Commission (FRC). “If the power of our technology grows faster than the wisdom of us humans it is like going into kindergarten and giving them a bunch of hand grenades to play with.”
Nowadays the term “robotics” is used to define a branch of technology that deals with design, construction, operation and application of robots (Oxford Dictionaries, 2015)
Today, many people work hard each day, in hopes of creating the “next big thing”, that will appeal to man, and make life more convenient. The biggest convenience today’s people have, is the access to technology. Robotic development is one of these many technological advancements, and perhaps one of the greatest; however, with new developments, comes more problems, thus allowing many to wonder, are the costs of robotic development, really worth the benefits?
These robots are known as the ICub, and excel at interacting with the human population safely. One of these robots, known as Molly, exists in Bristol, England (Honigsbaum). This small combination of metals, wires, and computer components actually helps the elderly with simple tasks that they would ordinarily need help with. In addition to helping the elderly, the ICub can also help clean the work space of individuals. Simon, an upper-body humanoid, assists in moving a variety of items and cleaning workspaces. This robot was developed at the Georgia Institute of Technology, and statistics state that, “Simon could tell with close to 80% accuracy whether someone was paying attention or ignoring him.” This proves that it is indeed possible to create helpful machines that can also interact with humans through the regulation and extra development of artificial intelligences. All of the activities that the ICub Robots partake in are completely beneficial to the global society and will have a large impact on the culture of the world as a whole. An added plus to the push for technological development is that countries can use these advancements as a way to better the future of their state. These nations can accomplish this through the integration of robotic aids into their school systems. An instance in which this concept is used occurs in the Connecticut school system. Through Project D.I.S.C.O.V.E.R middle school students
If you think robots are the kind of thing you hear about in science-fiction movies, think again. Right now, all over the world, robots are performing thousands of tasks. They are probing our solar system for signs of life, building cars at the General Motors plants, assembling Oreo cookies for Nabisco and defusing bombs for the SWAT team. As they grow tougher, more mobile, and more intelligent, today’s robots are doing more and more of the things that humans can’t or don’t want to do and in many cases taking away the need for human labor.