Japan's new consumerbots governed by Asimov's Law

Just because Big Willy Style Smith starred in the film "adaptation" of I, Robot shouldn't speak against the clout of Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics (not to be confused with Issac Hayesimov's laws). The Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry knows this, and is putting theory (or in this case, apologue) into practice by developing robot saftey guidelines, and pushing bot-makers to start imbuing the first of the Three Laws (A robot may not harm a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.) into the design methodology and operation of future domestic robots. How? Why, by installing sensors and systems sufficient to keep the bots from bumping into people, installing emergency shut-off switches, and making or coating said bots with materials a little softer than the usual jagged-edged steel (see Ri-Man, above). Sounds pretty obvious to us, but once we've got some Three Laws breaking bots on our hands, that's when things get interesting.

[Shunnabunich @ May 28th 2006 2:25PM]

*Still* waiting for the Actroid/Realdoll hybrid. *taps fingers, looks at watch*

[Daniel @ May 28th 2006 2:54PM]

What exactly does harm mean in this context? Its a pretty general term as it stands and really should be defined a bit better.

People get 'harmed' when they do stupid things (OD on drugs etc). Is a robot following the laws meant to stop those people from doing such (ie does it erode personal responsibility)?

[tcc3 @ May 28th 2006 3:21PM]

Its the zeroth law I'd be worried about. How appropriate that would be in our current culture of protecting the citezenry from itself.

I for one do not welcome our well meaning robotic overlords.

[Copperhead @ May 28th 2006 3:23PM]

I suspect that Crusher and the like will be getting a slightly edited version of the laws :)

[Emceay @ May 28th 2006 3:37PM]

Can you imagine if these nerf coated robots kirked out? It'd be like a moonbounce gone bad.
They'd bruise the hell out of you without breaking bones. You'd fight back and feel it's soft plush skin reducing your blows to levels of ineffectiveness. You would be like ceasar against maximus at the end of gladiator.

[strider_mt2k @ May 28th 2006 4:29PM]

Daniel, read "I Robot" if you get a chance.

[Trae @ May 28th 2006 5:21PM]

Daniel, that came up alot in Asimovs books. One issue that comes to mind was the robot that could read our thoughts and would lie so we could hear what we wanted.

[Tibbs @ May 28th 2006 7:19PM]

If they become a problem, I could see a flamethrower being fairly effective against the polystirene (sorry for the spelling :D)

-Tibbs

[Ron White @ May 28th 2006 7:25PM]

"Daniel, that came up alot in Asimovs books. One issue that comes to mind was the robot that could read our thoughts and would lie so we could hear what we wanted."

Then it would be time to send in the BLADE RUNNERS ...

[Octavus @ May 28th 2006 8:40PM]

Next thing we know we will have robots that look like humans and others that travel in time to make the universe safe for us.

Foundation was a strange series.

[GSI @ May 28th 2006 9:49PM]

Every day when I look at this site, I say, "Oh, no! One step closer to the end of the world!" I say it again right now.

[Tull @ May 28th 2006 11:46PM]

I'm just scared by the fact that we need to start programming robots to not hurt humans. It's really close to getting apocalyptic. O_o

[Todd @ May 29th 2006 6:11AM]

When the dormant "Order Sixty-Six" is initiated by Skynet, the robot will simply remove its soft "nerf" exterior and replace it with the "jagged-edged steel".

[nimro @ May 29th 2006 9:35AM]

'When the dormant "Order Sixty-Six" is initiated by Skynet, the robot will simply remove its soft "nerf" exterior and replace it with the "jagged-edged steel".'

...And energy weapons...

[link32 @ May 29th 2006 11:17AM]

Ugh....... More Japanese robots! Why can't the US make some robots?! I would really like to see some American robotics companies make robots like asimo and qrio.

[AudioPandemicShow.com @ May 29th 2006 4:26PM]

Hey... as long as they dont deem my show dangerous.. I'm all good.

[pattyboi @ May 30th 2006 10:18AM]

The US army has already violated the first law. And how.

http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=30306