Week 3 - Robotics + Art

 

    Thus far we have covered the two cultures, math + art, and now, robotics + art in lecture. We have analyzed how art can be combined with various processes to create meaningful products and this week we have explored the realm of robotics. 

    Robots have allowed the human race to effectively increase productivity and carry out tasks at a faster rate than humans could safely. Robots are the next step in the world of industrialization, and as Professor Vesna showed in the lecture, Henry Ford started this wave with the assembly line. Assembly lines have progressed from being used for automobile production to the production of nearly every good used today thanks to Mr. Ford.

    However, the world of robotics is taking a slight shift into a more real-world application. Robots are now being explored to have more humanistic features and given newer uses rather than production. As Professor Machiko Kusahara explained, the ability to humanize robots and give them realistic features will allow them to be much more successful in the world. By giving robots friendly faces and expressions, they are likely to be used in ways never before imagined.

    Yet, this may not be the best idea as movies like I, Robot has explored. The movie explores how robots serve humanity and must follow strict laws that ensure humans cannot be harmed by these robots. However, eventually, the movie leads to an artificial intelligence system that has taken the robots over and has deemed that humans, if left unchecked, will cause their own extinction and the robots must intervene.

    This reminds me of a very interesting idea that was brought up in the news surrounding the idea of robots being used in China to make sure people stay inside. It is clear that there is a very strong relationship between robotics and art but I believe that a line should be drawn. Robots should be used to make life easier for humans but not to the point where it could be harmful to humanity as I, Robot hinted at. Through the use of math, science, and art our world has the ability to use robots for good but we must be careful with how far it goes.

Sources:

1. “I, Robot.” IMDb, IMDb.com, 16 July 2004, https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0343818/.

2. Vesna, Victoria. "Professor Machiko Kusahara on Japanese robotics." Lecture 3. CoLE DESMA 9. Web.

3. Vesna, Victoria. “Robotics.” Lecture 2. CoLE DESMA 9. Web.

4. Towey, Hannah. “Check out These Eerily Realistic Robots That Look Straight out of the Movie 'I, Robot'.” Business Insider, Business Insider, 3 Dec. 2021, https://www.businessinsider.com/watch-viral-video-of-realistic-ameca-robot-2021-12.

5. “Facteon Robotic Assembly Line.” YouTube, YouTube, 26 Nov. 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74BYDqSb-PM.

6. McMorrow, Ryan. “The Robot Dogs Policing Shanghai's Strict Lockdown.” Subscribe to Read | Financial Times, Financial Times, 14 Apr. 2022, https://www.ft.com/content/5c437146-2d18-466b-84af-24a47b32de59.