Robots or not?

[Bikewer]

More of an opinion poll, perhaps. We see a lot in the news about "robots". The military uses them, they're used in manufacturing, etc, etc.

To my mind, almost none of these devices qualify as what I think of as a "robot". They are all either machines that are programmed to perform a simple function (like welding sheet metal) or they are operator controlled devices which require a human to function.

All the military robots are essentially human-controlled R/C toys with more advanced capabilities.

To my way of thinking, "robot" implies a degree of autonomous behavior. AI, if you will.

Perhaps I'm too influenced by science-fiction.

[moopet]

I agree. And the show Robot Wars epitomised this.

[Dragonrock]

This comes down to an argument over semantics. What would you call them if not "robots?"

[Giraffe107]

I would consider the iRobot vacuum a 'robot' since it works out how to vacuum your house and not bump into things or fall down the stairs.

If you're after an R2D2, we're a fair way from that- true autonomy is hard. But we're getting there, improving robot 'eyesight' and mobility.

[GodMark2]

All the military robots are essentially human-controlled R/C toys with more advanced capabilities.

To my way of thinking, "robot" implies a degree of autonomous behavior. AI, if you will.

The RQ-4 Global Hawk is capable of taking off, navigating to target area, flying a reconnaissance pattern, returning to base, and landing: all without need for intervention from human operators.

Does that qualify?

[Jimbo07]

To my mind, almost none of these devices qualify as what I think of as a "robot". They are all either machines that are programmed to perform a simple function (like welding sheet metal)...

To my way of thinking, "robot" implies a degree of autonomous behavior. AI, if you will.



... okay... what is an AI, if not a programmed machine?

I'd say the former are maybe 'simple robots,' or 'industrial robots,' but robots all the same...

Wikipedia on 'Robot' (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robot)

[sanguine]

To my way of thinking, "robot" implies a degree of autonomous behavior. AI, if you will.

Perhaps I'm too influenced by science-fiction.

The factory sheet welder is working through a completely autonomous behavior. It just won't deal well with changes in its environment. But on that note, there are insects that, when picked up and put down six inches to the left of where they were, can literally never find their home again. Autonomy and intelligence don't have to go together.

Many military robots really do have some degree of autonomy, and, as mentioned, UAVs are capable of fully autonomous action (indeed, an armed flying machine does need to have some degree of autonomy if for no other reason than the fact that the remote operator may lose their feed on occasion).

Naturally, none of these are Aasimov-style people replacements, but they're still autonomous and many include various degrees of problem solving.

I mean, KITT is clearly a robot, even if Michael is the one doing the driving most of the time. :)

[Denver]

From http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/robot :


1: a machine that looks like a human being and performs various complex acts (as walking or talking) of a human being; also : a similar but fictional machine whose lack of capacity for human emotions is often emphasized b: an efficient insensitive person who functions automatically
2: a device that automatically performs complicated often repetitive tasks
3: a mechanism guided by automatic controls


So going by the rule that the first definition is the most common, you'd be correct in saying that the devices you described are not the most common vision of a robot. But still, they are valid, given the definition of the word.

[Lensman]

I'd call them "Waldos" - even when controlled by a computer.

[Polgara]

From http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/robot :



So going by the rule that the first definition is the most common, you'd be correct in saying that the devices you described are not the most common vision of a robot. But still, they are valid, given the definition of the word.

I had just copied and was ready to paste the M-W definition. Bleh. :( And, then, I scrolled down.

There is no clearly defined 'scientific' definition. I've looked. I am fairly versed in AI, and do not even recall a specific definition or outline re: what firmly constitutes a robot.

[Polgara]

P.S. That Pack Mule Robot the military has in the works is rather interesting.

[Polgara]

(Artificial Intelligence) Devices and applications that exhibit human intelligence and behavior including robots, expert systems, voice recognition, natural and foreign language processing. It also implies the ability to learn and adapt through experience.

http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia_term/0,2542,t=AI&i=37613,00.asp

I can't even find a Hofstadter definition of AI.

For that matter- what IS intelligence, exactly? -evil grin I've traveled that topic recently.

[sanguine]

I had just copied and was ready to paste the M-W definition. Bleh. :( And, then, I scrolled down.

There is no clearly defined 'scientific' definition. I've looked. I am fairly versed in AI, and do not even recall a specific definition or outline re: what firmly constitutes a robot.

The AI researchers down the hall from me pretty much call any free-moving semi-autonomous device a robot, although they all have varying degrees of decision-making capability. There's no set definition.

[Polgara]

The AI researchers down the hall from me pretty much call any free-moving semi-autonomous device a robot, although they all have varying degrees of decision-making capability. There's no set definition.

What hallway? Where is it? What is attached to it? And, who are these (masked) (wo)men called researchers?

:D

Actually, those questions are meant to be funny, but I am curious.

That definition satisfies my definition. My definition based upon what knowledge I have gleaned, thus far.

(Any reason to use the word glean is a good reason.)

[Third Eye Open]

It's all in the pronunciation.

{ROH-BAHT} can be either AI or remote controlled.
{RHO-bit} is always the autonomous kind.

[deverett]

Robot was defines in the play RUR. It is a humanlike machine that performs the duties of a maid, butler or slave.

Roomba can be considered 'robotic', but not a complete robot.

Dave Everett