Androids Wont Fix Our Problems

The world's first android was built last year. There have actually been a couple but the first one was not very human-like. Will Androids help clean the environment? Will androids stop war? Will Androids build a safer and better envronment for the next generation? Unfortunately they cannot do any of these things. They are cool toys and I would love to have one to play with but when it really comes down to it what will the benefits be?

• less cheap labour required in 3rd world countries
• more wealth for the wealthy
• more unemployment amongst the poor and unskilled
• and probably a lot more serious sad repercussions like androids being used in warfare to kill humans.

Extreme scenarios. You better believe it and I hope that none of this will ever take place but unfiortunately we humans don't have a good track record with innovations. If we can find a way to screw things up we normally find it.

Do they have a potential for good. Yes. They could perform many tasks to help people and build a better world. I am just concerned that these may be monopolized by the wealthy for the detriment of the poor.

Regardless. They are still cool and I would love to play with one. I had the great opportunity to meet Professor Hiroshi Ishiguro and listen to him speak. very interesting stuff and a very humble and polite man. Anyway check out my pages on robotics and in particular the work about Repliquee. My other pages on robotics may be useful as well http://www.bettscomputers.com/roboticsystems.htm

lets hope that we can use all of this technology for the betterment of humanity.

I also have a weblog on robotics at http://www.robots.net/person/bettsg/diary.html?start=5