MITs Em Tech conference was held to reconsider the ideology behind use of robotics in the society. The success of robot manufacturing would help solve certain industrial problems says Rodney Brooks the founder and chairperson of Rethink Robotics. In the conference, he explained that Baxter, the new and easy programmable robot was in position to work alongside human beings without causing a lot of harm to the people (Neagle par. 3). It is not certain that Baxter is 100% compatible with humans but it has been proven that it, Baxter, can perform its duties well when directed effectively. For example, it can take an item from one place to another. This is possible when the Robot is guided the first time by taking its arm and putting it in the direction required (Neagle par. 5). When it follows that procedure for some time, it gets momentum and knows where it got the item from and will not require to be guided once again. This idea is quite positive and challenging at the same time. Many companies will need few employees or engineers who will control the robot while the robot does most of the work.
The idea of robotics is important to many companies as a wireless communication device. Companies will do more and increase productivity. For example, smart phones are the order of the day. When manufacturing the iPad, it has been proven that it passes through many hands in its process. To increase production, something must be done and that is where Baxter pops in. The idea is to increase production, as the number of consumers will also be high with the new model of the iPad in place. Baxter will reduce the risk of error production, as it is easily manageable (Neagle par.7). It will also improve on the working conditions for factory and improve the quality of life for their employees. They will not have to do undergo stressful situations, which the robot can handle.
With the existence of an easy programmable robot like Baxter, both the company and the customers will benefit. This is because, production will increase and more quality products will be on market. Other companies will not need to invest so much in engineers to operate the Robot because even someone who has no knowledge of robots can learn easily to control it. Work will be easier as compared to the times when such robots were not in existence. Due to the program of the robots, they will be in a positing to reduce errors that may be made by man, while undertaking the production process. In addition, companies will have more profits when more customers purchase the quality products and more revenue will be collected by the government.
When a company produces more quality products on market, the demand will also be high. Baxter will be in a position in helping to increase production. Another advantage is that, people will endeavor to have personal robots at home to help in doing certain chores. By 2040, there will be robots that can perform certain life threatening risks as surgeries others will even become personal assistants, as they will manage to perform vary many tasks as directed by the owners. In terms of management purposes, a robot like Baxter has the potential to reduce certain working problems (Neagle par.4). This includes issues like breaks, lunch to gain more energy and sick time leaves. The employers will not be under pressure as the robots can work tirelessly and increase the production of a company.
In addition, the employees will not have issues with employers regarding errors that may be caused by getting bored with the work monotony. Baxter can undertake jobs that are continuous and that may seem dull due to monotony or even dangerous jobs. Certain working areas may be considered health hazards to the workers and the presence of Robots can easily manage these jobs. Workers will reduce the risk of getting certain diseases that may affect their mental or physical health. In the end, jobs will be efficient and manageable. Finally, consumers will also be in a position to benefit from this invention. Due to high quality goods that are produced consistently, the same goods will be cheaper as they will pay less for the improvement or modification made by the company.
However, even if Robots will be so useful to the society it clearly reveals that there will be high rate of unemployment in the society. For instance, the 325 workers who are involved in the manufacturing of the iPad may lose their jobs. Baxter will be able to undertake jobs that these workers were doing. It will only require the employee to have few employees who will control the devices while the Robots do most of the hard work. Without jobs, the living conditions of the people will decline, inflation may occur and poverty levels may rise in some areas. In addition, other institutions will lose market. The most affected will be schools. People will not see the need to waste money to go to school because the robots will have taken over the places of human knowledge. Instead, they will decide to indulge in other businesses to avoid wasting their money.
Considering the above issues regarding Baxter as an innovation in the wireless communication sector, there are many things that should be considered to avoid harming the society. Such robots should be made only for specific purposes. For example, they should only be made to do hard chores, which a normal human being can be in risk while doing. This will reduce the rate of unemployment possibilities in a society. The idea of robots performing certain surgeries should also be considered. The life of a human being can be at stake here in case the robot misses one step. Meaning the rate of related deaths may be high if the robot ceases to function well when the surgery is on. Issues like power can be unpredictable and may cause such errors when a surgery is in progress. In addition, it is not so certain that the program may be so safe with humans while they work along with them. A virus may attack the device and cause a lot of destruction. The virus may alter the mode of functioning of the Robot and may even kill the workers within no time. In conclusion, companies may lose all they have created or invested in if one mistake or error is caused by a robot. It is advisable to make the robots work in an enclosed space where they can be monitored easily by experienced engineers and rectify mistakes that may be a threat to the company.
Work Cited
Neagle, Colin 2012, Meet Baxter the Huggable industrial Robot. Viewed October 25, 2012
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