If there is an area that we need to understand, and develop an understanding in, it has to be Sensors. Buildings will come to depend on them, not just for basic performance, but security and structural strangth.
The video below looks at the way pin or access codes are used, and how we might switch to a lot of other snipits of information that the phone will collect that will let a door know if you have access to a room.
But the research might be well beyond this, sensors will monitor eveything, people, weather, and room use, doors opening, temp, calendars, building use as a whole.
no more tags, or card readers, my University is so dependant on them, but its so dumb, If i scan to go out, and suddenly remember a book on my desk, and do not actually go out, the door will not open for me, just because I have scanned to go out.
Placing sensors might simply be so simple as random in plasterboard, once the building software scans the sensor it will use that data, and here is the first problem I see, in the hacking that might be done via that sensor, but its a small problem in comparison to the ease and security the new sensor system might offer.
It happens so often, your attend a lecture given by a futurist, and as part of it, they mention the Jetsons, most are not old enough to have watched the cartoon, but its gets rolled out as part os what we might see. So I thought its time, and the right place to look at the Jetsons, and examine the way, it played it role in Futurism.
First shown in 1962 it lasted until 1988, revolves around a family set in a Skypad Apartments in Orbit City, in a future with the trappings of science fantasy depictions of American life in the future, 2062 to be precise.
So first port of call might be an excellent article by Matt Novakin the Independant, an article on the Smithsonian site is also well worth reading. But is a much larger article, again from Matt Novak, that is the real overviw I think you should read. It takes in more than just the Jetson, looking at the golden age of Futurism. Although its a USA, American idealism, I recognise so many themes from on of my all time great comic The Eagle.
This subject is part of a much larger presentation I give, for more details and a chance to book me,
Scifi has a major role to play in looking and trying to predict the future trends. Its a place where authors can let go, and dream up ideas and concepts, some times inventing sometimes letting current events of inventions evolve without constraint.
One such Scifi event s called H+, a series let out in weekly episodes vis Youtube, looking at the way implants in particular brain implant giving access to the net and all it can and might offer. Shown over 48 episodes the link I offer below has then all in one long set, complete with all endings and adverts,
Its done on the cheap, thats obvious, and its an interesting way to present the story, but sit back and look behind the story at what might be, and some of the problems.
Its not an answer, neither is is what will be, just what might be,
In my previous article on Robotic's, I looked at a list, Scifi was missed out, but perhaps thinking on it, I should have added it, the ability to dream and let a story or event unfold as if in a dream state is one way to allow an idea to formulate, without constraints, or even lead to an idea, so often ways of allowing a story to unfold rely on inventing science, real or not. The older you get the more difficult it might become, although I seem to be able to dream ideas without much effort.
Its not a fantasy, there are a lot of well meaning, and highly educated people, who recon that Robots will take over. I for one, am not part of that line of thought and this post, I hope will go some way to explaining this and perhaps I will also share some thoughts on how we can see an alternative future where Robots, the internet, and smart objects might play a vital role in reshaping humanity.
So lets start by a reading list, more to get the frame of mind right, more than anything, its some think I teach a lot, go out and read, before starting to write a paper, get a feel for past, present and future ideas and concepts, jot notes, link them remove them move the links, do what is required to fill a void of knowledge, its not and easy time, if your an academic, you will have more access to papers hidden behind paywall, than a general researcher.
My list has to start with an excellent article by Drake Baer, Tech Insider, a writer on Business Insider Uk, its a really good start, as the title (9 crazy things that could happen after the singularity, when robots become smarter than humans), suggest your first list.
So here is my list in no particular order :
Artificial intelligence
May be we will find that there's no real use for humanity.
When ever we talk about robots we talk about Artificial Intelligence, the recreation of the Human Brain, I list this first simply because its seen as the single biggest threat, But like many things I like to take a step back, and consider the facts, perhaps the concept or idea has a bad press, from the many movies and books all depicting our demise because a computer see's no use for us. But I see the other side, the way computers might just stop us killing ourselves, provide a richer more meaningful life, stop famine, and provide leisure time like we have never seen, maybe thats what they fear, our inability to amuse ourselves with anything other than war.
It could so easily change life as we know it, no need for money, stocks, shares, governments and political leaders, Gork in the old SciFi film "The Day the Earth Stood Still, explores this, both versions.
So perhaps the real question we have to ask, is what backup do the doubter have to predict a fearful future, is it more scary than any of the political leaders, who so often have their own agenda. or is it a backlot of old Sci Fi Movies.
Allowing computers to look at data, and predicts what might happen is now seen as inevitable, Google is already well on this path, and so are a lot of large corporations and sales outlets, but sooner or later this is going to spill over into real life.
Will Smiths film iRobot plays on this, looking at both sides of the argument, on one hand corrupt makers playing with artificial intelligence, and on the other, items that would make life so much better.
I think this area has so much more scope, it needs to be steered, but by who, the market, or governments fearful of their power to rule.
Drake Baer in his article makes reference to an old paper written a few years ago, by Irving B Good, 1965, it's a complex academic paper, it certainly is not an article for a news paper, explores this, and given its date of publication its a little out of date, but well worth the time to read.
Embedded circuits linking the brain to the internet
You might find this a little strange, and question if this is robotics, my answer is I think it is, simply because is an extension to our brain, and takes us a little nearer the true concept of Robotics.
Two items spring to mind, first the idea of implanting something into my body that will have a limited life span, and secondly playing about with hardwire links to the brain. For some background I have included a Youtube embed that explores this concept
But lets take a step back my be a small circuit embedded to stop say fits or brain disorder, Is it better than a chemical that might just have a wider impact on the body, this article on The Wall Street Journal explore this. Maybe this can be expanded, the growing concept of wearable devices like the Apple watch may be expanded to be included into this section
Wearable Devices
Currently an area of huge investment, some offering glimpses of as future, others just watching and being there. Apple can be seen as a leader, but in what area, the clear way they can cram all that power into the smallest of spaces, or the programming, Neither are that good, they offer little to the argument of digital prowess, and can;t be seen to be capable of robotic power play and eventual take over.
More I see it as a way to expand the information we want to see without to much intrusion into the body, the near skin contact it will have, can provide so much, control of small circuits located within the body to control say a defect heart, or Parkinson, Thats not robots taking over, thats good use of technology. I wear a Fitbit device that counts steps and monitors my heart, I want more, and as I see wearable devices that do what I want I shall use them.
The phone has seen the biggest impact, almost every one has one, to the point were land lines are almost extinct, the power of a modern mobile phone is greater than the first moon shot computers., and they can do so much, navigate communicate, inform, check, and last hours before needing power, They can also be seen as intrusive, many do not want to be recorded, or monitored, but unless they are scanned, who is to know.
The Net
An area of intense activity, and one that will play a huge role, all be it, not in its present guise, but at the back of it all, is data, lots and lots of dat, that we are just beginning to understand, and make use of. But back to the Net, the internet, or what ever you might like to call the global linking of machines via an ever expanding copper, glass fibre, wifi network.
For the futurist, this surely has to be a massive staring point, and an area I look at constantly, Barley 30 years old, yet has the biggest impact on global humanity of any of our inventions, Will it stand the test of time is it worth backing, as governments start to control its spread, fearful of terrorist use, government overthrow, remember the past coos where the radio station was the first to be taken over,
It will change, devices will start talking to each other, can this be the new net, Satellites will also get better, and low orbit devices will allow similar function at a much lower cost, see google balloon system.
Data
If there is anything in the subject of Robotics and cognitive functions, its data, until recently, data was limited, but work done by Google and others, now leads the way in handling vast, and I mean vast amounts of data, and not regular data, but mixed up rough none structured data. The more the better, and the more diverse, is also good.
Algorithms
It is here we will see magic happening, and its an area, I personally think is worth time looking at in some depth. The way data, is used, sifted and manipulated, compared and a result or results shown, I separate the three last items on purpose for each is a separate area of interest, but the three combined is the real gold, Data, Algorithms and Hadoop.
Hadoop
I can think of no other single development in recent years that will transform the world, Hadoop ability to take data in such volume, and apply algorithms and start to allow us to see things that we could never have seen with conventional databases and their methods of analysis.
Conclusion
The question is will Robots take over, I just can't see it happening, Robots will arrive, with howls from certain areas, but, they will happen, Governments, will try to limit them from past fears, but will they take over, no, they will arrive in a lot of different formats, shapes and functions abilities, and will change our lives, but will they take over as predicted by certain movies, why, whats the point.
The Star War movies, entertaining as they are, might be the future, lots of interaction and uses, even war, which will never go away, or at least the threat of it, Perhaps we will device a Gork, to police our selves, but the arrival of Robots will happen. Certain current countries who are short of young manpower because of a one child per couple policy, are going to solve the problem by robots, China being the largest, Japan with a very high aged population will also go that route, just to service the aged.
Tesla cars are almost there, Google cars are certainly there, other car manufacturers are not that far behind, from self parking to full automation, and as I reach an age where driving is not only to expensive, but inadvisable as my health declines, I will welcome self driving cars, and a robot to carry bags.
The human image is what scares people most, but why make a robot in our image, when its not needed, we will see all sorts of shapes and models, some, no a lot, will fail, but some will evolve to be the ultimate companion, assisting in so many areas, constantly monitoring and helping. Artificial Intelligence will surpass us, in certain areas as Watson already has, but will it recognize humor, or the subtle use of language, that different areas use, even in the UK, jokes in Birmingham do not carry to Newcastle.
My list of reading is only a start, there will be sub lists to follow up on, mechanics, materials, electronic, methods of communication, laser, lights, computer programming, storage methods, all and more will have an effect on the answer we seek.
Governments will also need to be in the list, how will they perceive robotics, so often law is made by people who simply do not understand, and are steered by people who maybe have an agenda. less scrupulous power regimes, might see its as the ultimate control. The military might also need its own section, although we might not see their developments till its to late, but drones show the interest.
As we conquer space, robotics will be needed, crews will be made of robots, simply because we do not have the life span to make the journey to the nearest star, well not yet, and the need to live in an environment that is so hostile to human life, almost demands a robotic presence.
So the answer is dependant on so many things, if governments have there way, if materials and country needs sway, or just natural need, we will see robots, most will be helpful, but some,,,, thats really up to us.
This blog takes it's title from the Icelandic for Look to the Future, and for me it says it all, apart from my ancestors probable being Viking, I like the name and for once a name I like is available.
So this new blog is all about the future, looking at current development, ideas and trying to predicts what we might see in just a few years time.
Its not easy being a futurist, but I like sitting and watching current events and thinking, what will happen if certain events or ideas are solved.
So thats it, keep looking and dropping in, I will post as I can,
