Tuesday, February 8, 2022

I, Robot (coming soon)





"If you don't like technology, the next few years might be a bumpy ride. If you do however, this will be the science fiction you have read about, becoming science."


ICYMI, during the past two years, when Covid - 19 was sucking all the oxygen out of the news cycle, we have became closer and closer to more of a "robot-centric" society. In other words, the future is right around the corner. Future? What kind of future? The I, Robot type of future. That is, for anyone who can remember that futuristic movie.

Actually, between Biden's American Rescue Plan, which pays people more to stay home than to work, and the pandemic itself - we have a huge problem in getting enough people to go to work and make stuff. To work in the hospitality industry. To drive trucks. To fight our battles. So, we will automate as many of those functions as possible. And this is not starting next century, or even next decade. It is starting now. 

In fact, I just read an article not too long ago, which said the demand for automation has really picked up since the supply chain issues, free money from the government, and the pandemic has caused our current labor shortages. But even without those three things, we were on the path to more robotics in our future. Why? We are approaching the long anticipated nexus of robotic technology, AI, and nanotechnology. Those three disciplines are all coming together nicely in this decade.

Even some militaries are getting into the act (including ours). Robot "dogs", who can be used for mostly bomb sniffing and recon. However - I just watched a YouTube this past weekend which showed how some of the "dogs" were being equipped with smaller caliber ordinance. The Russians have some tracked vehicles which are unmanned. I bet the Chinese do also. And pilotless fighter jets? Right around the corner. 

Yesterday on the news, was an article about an "auto-bartender". You sit at the bar, tell the "auto-bartender" what you want to drink, a glass then appears. A specified about of ice is dispensed, and the drink (in absolute measures), is prepared. You pay with your credit card, and go enjoy. No tip, no mess, no worries.

If you don't like technology, the next few years might be a bumpy ride. If you do however, this will be the science fiction you have read about, becoming science. An economist showed a graph the other day, with the amount of manufacturing jobs going out to 2050. The number of jobs were dropping every year. We will still be making stuff - just not as much by humans. 

I might have to watch the movie I, Robot to refresh my memory. Only as I can remember - it did not end well for mankind. Oh, well...  

 

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