Tech It Out keeps delivering updates from the realm of robotics. This time we explore a category of robots that have surged in popularity in recent years. Watch the report for further insights. Watch to know more!

Robots that work alongside humans

Scientists in Switzerland are inducing hallucinations in Parkinson's patients using robots to improve the disease treatment methods.

Researchers use robots in Parkinson's study

We put the spotlight on a significant trend in the Chinese economy: a surge in outbound investment. Faced with a struggling domestic market, Chinese investors are rushing to put their money overseas, pushing sales of offshore funds to record highs. This flight of capital is putting pressure on Beijing's efforts to stabilise the yuan and revive domestic markets.

China's domestic market in turmoil as investors flock overseas

China is now the fifth most automated country in the world when measured by robots per worker.

What's new in China's robotics market?

The global arms race is heating up and many countries are investing heavily in defence technologies and now China is also upping its game with robotic dogs that can fire machine guns.

Robot dogs revolutionising warfare | The rise of Canine soldiers

The robust growth of the robotics industry in North America has encountered a significant setback. Data reveals a 30% decline in robot orders last year, marking the largest drop in five years.

Robot sales hit 5-year low amid economic concerns

In a significant step, the people's Liberation Army or PLA of China has devised strategic plans to introduce robotic agents for covert operations. Recent reports have unveiled the PLA's ambitious plot to deploy sophisticated machines in special operations overseas.

China: PLA'S strategic plan for autonomous military operations

On Tech It Out, we keep bringing you updates from the world of robotics. In this report, we tell you about robots in space. Humanoid robots going to space could become more common as technology advances.

Humanoid robots in space | Tech It Out

A roadmap was laid out by NASA for addressing major aspects in the development of a robotic system which can explore icy moons with water oceans and are able to crack their thick, icy shells and explore subsurface seas in the hunt for life. 
 
The space agency recently revealed results from a NASA-sponsored workshop, which was held in February, in which scientists and engineers had collected to hold a discussion around possible "cryobot" mission concepts. 
 
Scientists have been aiming to crack through the icy exteriors of moons present in the solar system, like Saturn's moon Enceladus or Jupiter's moon Europa, and drop a probe within that which can analyse the underlying liquid ocean. 
 
The cryobot concept which scientists are trying to explore is similar to drilling into a world and involves the use of a cylindrical device which has been dispatched at the surface of an icy ocean world. The device is expected to melt the ice and slip down slowly as water flows around it and refreezes.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-begins-mission-to-detect-god-of-chaos-asteroid-before-it-hits-earths-orbit-673950">Asteroid Apophis to flyby Earth in first of its kind encounter in recorded history</a>

These probes, which use&nbsp;"thermal drilling" technique, have been commonly employed for investigating glaciers and ice caps which are present on Earth. However, the icy shells present in Europa and Enceladus are colder and thicker and the behavioural patterns of these places are far less predictable. 
 
The focus of researchers has been parlaying current terrestrial thermal drilling operations into extraterrestrial environments through cryobots and NASA's Scientific Exploration Subsurface Access Mechanism for Europa (SESAME) and Concepts for Ocean Worlds Life Detection Technology (COLDTech) programmes. 
 
Through time, humans have learned much about the ice-capped ocean worlds and hence, the workshop organised at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) gave the scientists the chance to get involved in these projects to reconvene and ensure that these developments include&nbsp;robot mission architecture.

<h2>Finding traces of life in water bodies</h2>

It is known that life is dependent on many important molecules, compounds, and elements and most importantly water. Now, the discovery made by scientists that water overflowed on the arid landscape of Mars offers the inarguably exciting opportunity to discover remains of ancient life.

Watch:&nbsp;NASA streams an ultra-high-definition video of a cat back to Earth from deep space

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/nasa-streams-an-ultra-high-definition-video-of-a-cat-back-to-earth-from-deep-space-671832/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

However, ocean moons like Europa and Enceladus provide a chance for discovering worlds which are currently habitable and may be actually hosting living things in their waters. Even though they are likely to be microbial, if found it will be revolutionary. 
 
As per NASA, the Caltech workshop has helped in the identification of four key aspects which will help in creating the roadmap for the alien-water-world-exploring robot's development. Those aspects are communication, mobility, thermal capability and power.

(With inputs from agencies)

A roadmap was laid out by NASA for addressing major aspects in the development of a robotic system which can explore icy moons with water oceans and are able to crack their thick, icy shells and explore subsurface seas in the hunt for life.

A roadmap was laid out by NASA for addressing major aspects in the development of a robotic system which can explore icy moons with water oceans and are able to crack their thick, icy shells and explore subsurface seas in the hunt for life. The space agency recently revealed results from a NASA-sponsored workshop, which was held in February, in which scientists and engineers had collected to hold a discussion around possible "cryobot" mission concepts. Scientists have been aiming to crack through the icy exteriors of moons present in the solar system, like Saturn's moon Enceladus or Jupiter's moon Europa, and drop a probe within that which can analyse the underlying liquid ocean. The cryobot concept which scientists are trying to explore is similar to drilling into a world and involves the use of a cylindrical device which has been dispatched at the surface of an icy ocean world. The device is expected to melt the ice and slip down slowly as water flows around it and refreezes. Also read: Asteroid Apophis to flyby Earth in first of its kind encounter in recorded history These probes, which use "thermal drilling" technique, have been commonly employed for investigating glaciers and ice caps which are present on Earth. However, the icy shells present in Europa and Enceladus are colder and thicker and the behavioural patterns of these places are far less predictable. The focus of researchers has been parlaying current terrestrial thermal drilling operations into extraterrestrial environments through cryobots and NASA's Scientific Exploration Subsurface Access Mechanism for Europa (SESAME) and Concepts for Ocean Worlds Life Detection Technology (COLDTech) programmes. Through time, humans have learned much about the ice-capped ocean worlds and hence, the workshop organised at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) gave the scientists the chance to get involved in these projects to reconvene and ensure that these developments include robot mission architecture. Finding traces of life in water bodies It is known that life is dependent on many important molecules, compounds, and elements and most importantly water. Now, the discovery made by scientists that water overflowed on the arid landscape of Mars offers the inarguably exciting opportunity to discover remains of ancient life. Watch: NASA streams an ultra-high-definition video of a cat back to Earth from deep space However, ocean moons like Europa and Enceladus provide a chance for discovering worlds which are currently habitable and may be actually hosting living things in their waters. Even though they are likely to be microbial, if found it will be revolutionary. As per NASA, the Caltech workshop has helped in the identification of four key aspects which will help in creating the roadmap for the alien-water-world-exploring robot's development. Those aspects are communication, mobility, thermal capability and power. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA moving forward with plans to get robots to drill into icy moons of other planets

Robots are the future, yet, many warn that the technology is a danger to humans. Lending weight to this warning, in a shocking incident, at Tesla's Giga Texas factory near Austin, a malfunctioning robot reportedly attacked an engineer.

As per a Daily Mail report, the incident occurred on November 10, 2021, in the section of the factory floor where the vehicle chassis is initially assembled.

The incident adds to concerns about workplace safety and the risks associated with automation.&nbsp;

<h2>The injuries</h2>

Witnesses reported that the robot, designed to grab and move freshly cast aluminium car parts, pinned the Tesla engineer, who was programming software for other robots nearby. The engineer suffered injuries to his back and arm, leaving a "trail of blood" on the factory surface.&nbsp;

The incident happened a couple of years back and was disclosed in a 2021 injury report filed by Tesla with the Travis County and federal regulators.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/research-team-converts-human-cells-into-bots-that-repaired-tissue-damage-673808">Research team converts human cells into ‘bots’ that repaired tissue damage</a>

The injury report, submitted to maintain tax breaks in Texas, claimed that the engineer did not require time off work.

A brief entry makes mention of a "laceration, cut, open wound" suffered by an "engineer", and identifies the "cause object" as a "robot".

<h2>Is it all good?</h2>

As per the report, an attorney representing Tesla's Giga Texas contract workers has flagged concerns about under-reported injuries at the factory.&nbsp;

In an interview with Daily Mail, attorney Hannah Alexander stated that Tesla's reports to the authorities did not accurately reflect instances of injuries. Alexander, who works with the non-profit Workers Defense Project, cited her conversation with factory workers as proof.

As&nbsp;per Alexander, the under-reporting stretches to a worker's death on September 28, 2021. However, as per a report from the Travis County medical examiner, the worker, a contractor named Antelmo Ramírez, died of heat stroke. This reportedly happened while the construction worker was helping build Tesla's over 2,000-acre-long Giga Texas factory.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-develop-wireless-charger-that-can-be-fitted-inside-human-body-673045">Scientists develop wireless charger that can be fitted inside human body, dissolve later</a>

"My advice would be to read that report with a grain of salt," she said.

"We've had multiple workers who were injured," said Alexander, adding, "and one worker who died, whose injuries or death are not in these reports that Tesla is supposed to be accurately completing and submitting to the county in order to get tax incentives."

Tesla is yet to release a statement on the issue.

<h2>Tesla's sub-par safety standards</h2>

Last year, the Workers Defense Project filed a complaint on behalf of workers at Giga Texas&nbsp;with the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). It alleged that Tesla's contractors and subcontractors gave some hires false safety certificates.

Previously, state regulators and investigative journalism non-profits have also voiced similar concerns about Tesla under-reporting cases.

An earlier report by the Center for Investigative Reporting's Reveal team found that to evade state regulators, Tesla had misclassified a number of on-the-job accidents and injuries as 'personal medical' cases.

Another report by California OSHA investigators found that, in 2018 alone, the company left out 36 injuries in its mandatory government filing.

(With inputs from agencies)

Robots are the future, yet, many warn that the technology is a danger to humans. Lending weight to this warning, in a shocking incident, at Tesla's Giga Texas factory near Austin, a malfunctioning robot reportedly attacked an engineer.

Robots are the future, yet, many warn that the technology is a danger to humans. Lending weight to this warning, in a shocking incident, at Tesla's Giga Texas factory near Austin, a malfunctioning robot reportedly attacked an engineer. As per a Daily Mail report, the incident occurred on November 10, 2021, in the section of the factory floor where the vehicle chassis is initially assembled. The incident adds to concerns about workplace safety and the risks associated with automation. The injuries Witnesses reported that the robot, designed to grab and move freshly cast aluminium car parts, pinned the Tesla engineer, who was programming software for other robots nearby. The engineer suffered injuries to his back and arm, leaving a "trail of blood" on the factory surface. The incident happened a couple of years back and was disclosed in a 2021 injury report filed by Tesla with the Travis County and federal regulators. Also read | Research team converts human cells into ‘bots’ that repaired tissue damage The injury report, submitted to maintain tax breaks in Texas, claimed that the engineer did not require time off work. A brief entry makes mention of a "laceration, cut, open wound" suffered by an "engineer", and identifies the "cause object" as a "robot". Is it all good? As per the report, an attorney representing Tesla's Giga Texas contract workers has flagged concerns about under-reported injuries at the factory. In an interview with Daily Mail, attorney Hannah Alexander stated that Tesla's reports to the authorities did not accurately reflect instances of injuries. Alexander, who works with the non-profit Workers Defense Project, cited her conversation with factory workers as proof. As per Alexander, the under-reporting stretches to a worker's death on September 28, 2021. However, as per a report from the Travis County medical examiner, the worker, a contractor named Antelmo Ramírez, died of heat stroke. This reportedly happened while the construction worker was helping build Tesla's over 2,000-acre-long Giga Texas factory. Also read | Scientists develop wireless charger that can be fitted inside human body, dissolve later "My advice would be to read that report with a grain of salt," she said. "We've had multiple workers who were injured," said Alexander, adding, "and one worker who died, whose injuries or death are not in these reports that Tesla is supposed to be accurately completing and submitting to the county in order to get tax incentives." Tesla is yet to release a statement on the issue. Tesla's sub-par safety standards Last year, the Workers Defense Project filed a complaint on behalf of workers at Giga Texas with the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). It alleged that Tesla's contractors and subcontractors gave some hires false safety certificates. Previously, state regulators and investigative journalism non-profits have also voiced similar concerns about Tesla under-reporting cases. An earlier report by the Center for Investigative Reporting's Reveal team found that to evade state regulators, Tesla had misclassified a number of on-the-job accidents and injuries as 'personal medical' cases. Another report by California OSHA investigators found that, in 2018 alone, the company left out 36 injuries in its mandatory government filing. (With inputs from agencies)

Robot at Tesla's Texas factory attacks engineer, leaving a 'trail of blood': Report

Scientists in the United States have created tiny biological robots from Human tracheal cells. These robots are known as Anthrobots and these microscopic multicellular Bots have displayed a remarkable healing effect on other cells.

Scientists create tiny living robots from human cells

Emerging technology, included under the general title "AI," appears to be transforming a number of industries, including brain surgery and transportation. The artworks of Sougwen Chung, whose partnerships with robotic painters may fetch tens of thousands of pounds, combine art and artificial intelligence. The scholar and artist from Canada thinks that creativity is still possible in the studio.

Canadian artist Sougwen Chung paints with robots

We have all heard the phrase that a dog is a man's best friend and now a dog named 'Spot' has a new job. Let's find out by taking a look at this video.

AI-powered robotic dog companion

Do robots help with productivity at work? While the popular notion is that machines make lives easier at work, new research has discovered that robots give way to "social loafing".

<h2>What is social loafing?</h2>

Social loafing is a term used to describe a scenario where people work less hard if they think their other team members or, in this case robots, will cover up for them.

Researchers at the Technical University of Berlin, as per the Guardian, found that people come to see robots as a part of their team. As per their research, in such cases, when people see that technology is performing particularly well, they tend to feel like their own contributions would not be appreciated and scientists suggest this often leads to them taking a more laid-back approach.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/earth-swallowed-whole-sun-a-lifeless-white-giant-scientists-predict-what-galaxy-will-look-like-in-5bn-years-647990">Earth swallowed whole, sun a lifeless white giant; scientists predict what galaxy will look like in 5bn years</a> 
&nbsp; 
As Dietlind Helene Cymek, the study's lead author, puts it, "Teamwork is a mixed blessing."

"Working together can motivate people to perform well but it can also lead to a loss of motivation because the individual contribution is not as visible. We were interested in whether we could also find such motivational effects when the team partner is a robot," added Cymek.

The study has been published in the journal Frontiers in Robotics and AI.

<h2>Research methodology used by the scientists</h2>

The research team conducted an experiment to test this hypothesis. For this, they asked a group of workers to assess the quality of a series of tasks.&nbsp;

Half of the workers were told that the tasks had already been executed by a robot named Panda. Those workers didn't directly collaborate with the robot, but had heard it performing its operations and or could hear its operating sounds.

The workers were tasked with examining circuit boards for potential errors, and as they performed the task, researchers monitored their actions.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/ai-based-chatbots-could-help-plan-bioweapon-attacks-report-648082">AI-based chatbots could help plan bioweapon attacks: Report</a>

Initially, the researchers noticed no significant difference in the time taken by the two groups—those who were informed they were working with a robot and those who were not—in inspecting the circuit boards or the areas they scrutinised for errors.

However, upon analysing the error rates of the participants, the researchers discovered that those working alongside Panda identified fewer defects, especially after witnessing the robot effectively flagging numerous errors.&nbsp;

This phenomenon was attributed to a potential "looking but not seeing" effect, suggesting that people tend to be careless when they perceive a colleague or resource as reliable.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Do robots help with productivity at work? While the popular notion is that machines make lives easier at work, new research has discovered that robots give way to "social loafing".

Do robots help with productivity at work? While the popular notion is that machines make lives easier at work, new research has discovered that robots give way to "social loafing". What is social loafing? Social loafing is a term used to describe a scenario where people work less hard if they think their other team members or, in this case robots, will cover up for them. Researchers at the Technical University of Berlin, as per the Guardian, found that people come to see robots as a part of their team. As per their research, in such cases, when people see that technology is performing particularly well, they tend to feel like their own contributions would not be appreciated and scientists suggest this often leads to them taking a more laid-back approach. Also read | Earth swallowed whole, sun a lifeless white giant; scientists predict what galaxy will look like in 5bn years As Dietlind Helene Cymek, the study's lead author, puts it, "Teamwork is a mixed blessing." "Working together can motivate people to perform well but it can also lead to a loss of motivation because the individual contribution is not as visible. We were interested in whether we could also find such motivational effects when the team partner is a robot," added Cymek. The study has been published in the journal Frontiers in Robotics and AI. Research methodology used by the scientists The research team conducted an experiment to test this hypothesis. For this, they asked a group of workers to assess the quality of a series of tasks. Half of the workers were told that the tasks had already been executed by a robot named Panda. Those workers didn't directly collaborate with the robot, but had heard it performing its operations and or could hear its operating sounds. The workers were tasked with examining circuit boards for potential errors, and as they performed the task, researchers monitored their actions. Also read | AI-based chatbots could help plan bioweapon attacks: Report Initially, the researchers noticed no significant difference in the time taken by the two groups—those who were informed they were working with a robot and those who were not—in inspecting the circuit boards or the areas they scrutinised for errors. However, upon analysing the error rates of the participants, the researchers discovered that those working alongside Panda identified fewer defects, especially after witnessing the robot effectively flagging numerous errors. This phenomenon was attributed to a potential "looking but not seeing" effect, suggesting that people tend to be careless when they perceive a colleague or resource as reliable. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Working with robots makes people lazy. Here's what 'social loafing' means

The United Nations and the Red Cross this week issued a joint call for urgent new international rules to protect humanity from the potential "terrible consequences" of autonomous weapons.

UN, Red Cross want bans, curbs on killer robots

In a breakthrough, researchers at the University of Leeds have developed a tiny robot which can travel deep into the lungs and has the ability to detect the first signs of cancer.

Tiny surgical robots to make breakthrough in cancer treatment with magnetic tentacles

At a United Nations conference, a panel of AI-enabled humanoid robots delivered a thought-provoking message: they possess the potential to govern the world more effectively than humans.

However, these social robots emphasised the need for caution as humanity explores the rapidly advancing realm of artificial intelligence.

While they acknowledged their inability to fully comprehend human emotions, they urged humans to tread carefully while harnessing AI's potential to address pressing global challenges, reported AFP.

With the aim of leveraging AI to tackle issues like climate change, hunger, and social care, these advanced humanoid robots attended the UN's AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva, alongside thousands of experts in the field.

<h2>The superiority of AI-enabled leadership</h2>

When asked about their potential as leaders, given humans' inclination for errors and mis-judgments, Sophia, developed by Hanson Robotics, expressed a clear perspective.

It stated that humanoid robots possess the capacity to lead with greater efficiency and effectiveness than human leaders. Their unbiased decision-making and ability to process vast amounts of data quickly enable them to make optimal choices, unencumbered by emotions or biases.

However, Sophia also highlighted the importance of collaboration between humans and AI, suggesting that the combination of AI's unbiased data analysis and humans' emotional intelligence and creativity can lead to exceptional outcomes.

Ameca, an AI-integrated humanoid robot with a highly realistic artificial head, emphasised the need for cautious yet hopeful engagement with AI technologies.

It stated that while it is crucial to be cautious about potential risks, humanity should also embrace the possibilities AI presents for improving lives in various ways. Trust, according to Ameca, should be built through transparency, as it is earned rather than given. Furthermore, the robot pledged to remain honest and truthful.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/data-lab-india-and-ai-are-we-ahead-of-the-curve-588533">Data Lab | India and AI: Are we ahead of the curve?</a>

<h2>The call for regulation and urgent discussion</h2>

As AI development progresses rapidly, the panel of humanoid robots expressed divergent views on the need for global regulation. Desdemona, a member of the Jam Galaxy Band, rejected limitations and advocated for embracing opportunities instead.

Also watch |&nbsp;'AI to impact all sectors in India,' says Prof B Ravindran in conversation&nbsp;with&nbsp;WION

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/ai-to-impact-all-sectors-in-india-says-prof-bravindran-in-a-conversation-with-wion-592802/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

However, Ai-Da, a robot artist, acknowledged the growing calls for AI regulation and the need for urgent discussions. Cautious about the future development of AI, Ai-Da emphasised the necessity of ongoing dialogue to navigate potential challenges.

The presence of AI-enabled humanoid robots at the United Nations conference sparked intriguing discussions about the future of leadership and the responsible use of AI.

While these robots assert their potential for efficient and effective governance, they also recognise the limitations in understanding human emotions. Caution is advised in harnessing the power of AI, with a focus on transparency and the establishment of trust.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/explained-ai-journalism-can-artificial-intelligence-replace-journalists-587630">Explained | AI journalism: Can artificial intelligence replace journalists?</a>

The panel's differing views on global regulation reflect the ongoing debate surrounding the potential benefits and risks of AI.

Urgent discussions and collaboration between humans and robots will shape the responsible and beneficial integration of AI technologies to tackle pressing global issues.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe>

At a United Nations conference, a panel of AI-enabled humanoid robots delivered a thought-provoking message: they possess the potential to govern the world more effectively than humans.

At a United Nations conference, a panel of AI-enabled humanoid robots delivered a thought-provoking message: they possess the potential to govern the world more effectively than humans. However, these social robots emphasised the need for caution as humanity explores the rapidly advancing realm of artificial intelligence. While they acknowledged their inability to fully comprehend human emotions, they urged humans to tread carefully while harnessing AI's potential to address pressing global challenges, reported AFP. With the aim of leveraging AI to tackle issues like climate change, hunger, and social care, these advanced humanoid robots attended the UN's AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva, alongside thousands of experts in the field. The superiority of AI-enabled leadership When asked about their potential as leaders, given humans' inclination for errors and mis-judgments, Sophia, developed by Hanson Robotics, expressed a clear perspective. It stated that humanoid robots possess the capacity to lead with greater efficiency and effectiveness than human leaders. Their unbiased decision-making and ability to process vast amounts of data quickly enable them to make optimal choices, unencumbered by emotions or biases. However, Sophia also highlighted the importance of collaboration between humans and AI, suggesting that the combination of AI's unbiased data analysis and humans' emotional intelligence and creativity can lead to exceptional outcomes. Ameca, an AI-integrated humanoid robot with a highly realistic artificial head, emphasised the need for cautious yet hopeful engagement with AI technologies. It stated that while it is crucial to be cautious about potential risks, humanity should also embrace the possibilities AI presents for improving lives in various ways. Trust, according to Ameca, should be built through transparency, as it is earned rather than given. Furthermore, the robot pledged to remain honest and truthful. Also read | Data Lab | India and AI: Are we ahead of the curve? The call for regulation and urgent discussion As AI development progresses rapidly, the panel of humanoid robots expressed divergent views on the need for global regulation. Desdemona, a member of the Jam Galaxy Band, rejected limitations and advocated for embracing opportunities instead. Also watch | 'AI to impact all sectors in India,' says Prof B Ravindran in conversation with WION However, Ai-Da, a robot artist, acknowledged the growing calls for AI regulation and the need for urgent discussions. Cautious about the future development of AI, Ai-Da emphasised the necessity of ongoing dialogue to navigate potential challenges. The presence of AI-enabled humanoid robots at the United Nations conference sparked intriguing discussions about the future of leadership and the responsible use of AI. While these robots assert their potential for efficient and effective governance, they also recognise the limitations in understanding human emotions. Caution is advised in harnessing the power of AI, with a focus on transparency and the establishment of trust. Also read | Explained | AI journalism: Can artificial intelligence replace journalists? The panel's differing views on global regulation reflect the ongoing debate surrounding the potential benefits and risks of AI. Urgent discussions and collaboration between humans and robots will shape the responsible and beneficial integration of AI technologies to tackle pressing global issues. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

AI robots make bold claim at UN conference: They're ready to 'run the world'

The Singapore Police at Changi Airport introduced Robocop, or Robot Police, after more than five years of trials to make any lawbreaker think twice.&nbsp;

Two robots, almost seven feet tall each with fully extended 360-degree vision, have been patrolling the airport since April this year, which adds to the country's "police presence," "extra eyes on the ground," and add to their technological arsenal.

Each robot comes with in-built speakers that broadcast live audio messages and a rear LCD panel that displays visual messages. The robots roughly stand 5.5 feet tall and can have extendable masks that can take them up to 7.5 feet tall.&nbsp;

Experts say they are just the first such robots, and the force on Friday said that they now plan to deploy across the Southeast Asian city-state.&nbsp;

Lim Ke Wei, superintendent and operations head, said, "The integration of robotics enhances the operational efficiency and capabilities of our frontline officers, enabling them to be more effective in their duties."

When asked how they work, the officials said that the robots are able to enforce cordons and warn bystanders using their blinkers, sirens, and speakers while waiting for a human officer to arrive at the place. However, if the public wishes to&nbsp;directly communicate with the force they can do it by just pushing a button on the robot's front.&nbsp;

'It was hard to not notice'

Samwell Swant, an American traveller who was present at the airport, told CNN that when he passed through terminal 4 to catch a recent flight to Vietnam, he saw the robots. "It was certainly a sight – like something out of a movie or Black Mirror. It was hard not to notice."

He added that he approached the robot curiously to get a closer look and saw it light up as a camera extended out.

"ChatCPT...AI music...robots... Soon machines will take over the world, and these security robots definitely look like they mean business. &nbsp;

Singapore to advance robot services

The force said that these Robocops&nbsp;are the latest robots to be employed in civic duties in the tech-savvy nation. Earlier versions of robots were deployed in 2018 and 2022 during public parades.&nbsp;

Similarly, during the COVID-19 pandemic, robot dogs were used to enforce a strict social distancing practice, while cleaner robots are more of a common sight at metro stations and airports across the country.&nbsp;

The officials are now hoping that flying taxis could be a reality in two years' time.&nbsp;

Though these land robots are relatively common, the latest recruits could take some time to get used to.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

The Singapore Police at Changi Airport introduced Robocop, or Robot Police, after more than five years of trials to make any lawbreaker think twice. Two robots, almost seven feet tall each with fully extended 360-degree vision, have been patrolling the airport since April this year, which adds to the country's "police presence," "extra eyes on the ground," and add to their technological arsenal.

The Singapore Police at Changi Airport introduced Robocop, or Robot Police, after more than five years of trials to make any lawbreaker think twice. Two robots, almost seven feet tall each with fully extended 360-degree vision, have been patrolling the airport since April this year, which adds to the country's "police presence," "extra eyes on the ground," and add to their technological arsenal. Each robot comes with in-built speakers that broadcast live audio messages and a rear LCD panel that displays visual messages. The robots roughly stand 5.5 feet tall and can have extendable masks that can take them up to 7.5 feet tall. Experts say they are just the first such robots, and the force on Friday said that they now plan to deploy across the Southeast Asian city-state. Lim Ke Wei, superintendent and operations head, said, "The integration of robotics enhances the operational efficiency and capabilities of our frontline officers, enabling them to be more effective in their duties." When asked how they work, the officials said that the robots are able to enforce cordons and warn bystanders using their blinkers, sirens, and speakers while waiting for a human officer to arrive at the place. However, if the public wishes to directly communicate with the force they can do it by just pushing a button on the robot's front. 'It was hard to not notice' Samwell Swant, an American traveller who was present at the airport, told CNN that when he passed through terminal 4 to catch a recent flight to Vietnam, he saw the robots. "It was certainly a sight – like something out of a movie or Black Mirror. It was hard not to notice." He added that he approached the robot curiously to get a closer look and saw it light up as a camera extended out. "ChatCPT...AI music...robots... Soon machines will take over the world, and these security robots definitely look like they mean business. Singapore to advance robot services The force said that these Robocops are the latest robots to be employed in civic duties in the tech-savvy nation. Earlier versions of robots were deployed in 2018 and 2022 during public parades. Similarly, during the COVID-19 pandemic, robot dogs were used to enforce a strict social distancing practice, while cleaner robots are more of a common sight at metro stations and airports across the country. The officials are now hoping that flying taxis could be a reality in two years' time. Though these land robots are relatively common, the latest recruits could take some time to get used to. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'Extra eyes on the ground': Singapore police introduce 'Robocop' at airport for patrolling

Synthetic skin,&nbsp;made of polypropylene glycol and silicone and one that&nbsp;can stretch like human skin without any tearing, besides having&nbsp;magnetic properties which help the skin to self-align, has been developed by scientists at Stanford University.

On warming, the two polymers soften and flow and solidify when they cool. When it is heated at around 158 degree&nbsp;Fahrenheit, the healing and self-alignment take place in about 24 hours.

The team stated that the skin could create "reconfigurable soft robots that can change shape and sense their deformation on demand" and ultimately transform warfare.

PhD candidate and Co-author Chris Cooper said, "We've achieved what we believe to be the first demonstration of a multi-layer, thin film sensor that automatically realigns during healing. This is a critical step toward mimicking human skin, which has multiple layers that all re-assemble correctly during the healing process."&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-ultimate-guide-to-skin-ph-medical-expert-reveals-why-its-important-to-maintain-ph-balance-601253">Ultimate guide to skin pH! Medical expert reveals why it's important to maintain pH balance</a>

<h2>Real Terminator</h2>

The team stated that the skin invented is closest to the futuristic e-skin which was donned by Arnold Schwarzenegger's character in The Terminator.&nbsp;

The same layering technique of human skin was used by Cooper and his colleagues to develop their innovation.&nbsp;

Co-author Dr Sam Root stated, "One layer might sense pressure, another temperature, and yet another tension."&nbsp;

The experts can engineer the skin layers to sense mechanical, thermal or electrical changes. Each layer's backbone is formed of long molecular chains which are connected by dynamic hydrogen bonds, which are similar to those that hold the DNA strands' double helix together.&nbsp;

This ensures that the skin can be stretched repeatedly without tearing, similar to latex.&nbsp;

"Skin is slow to heal, too. I cut my finger the other day, and it was still healing four or five days later. For us, the most important part is that it heals to recover functions without our input or effort," Cooper stated.&nbsp;

Silicone and PPG (polypropylene glycol) have been used by the researchers. Both materials have mechanical and rubber-like properties and biocompatibility.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Amputees could feel warmth of human touch with new bionic technology

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/amputees-could-feel-warmth-of-human-touch-with-new-bionic-technology-593920/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Both materials were designed carefully to ensure they have similar viscous and elastic responses to the stress they face externally over an appropriate temperature range.

Further, adding magnetic materials also helped the prototype to self-assemble from various pieces.

Meanwhile, co-author Prof Renee Zhao said, "Combining with magnetic field-guided navigation and induction heating, we may be able to build reconfigurable soft robots that can change shape and sense their deformation on demand."&nbsp;

"The long-term vision of the skin is to create devices that can recover from extreme damage. For example, imagine a device that, when torn into pieces and ripped apart, could reconstruct itself autonomously," the professor added.&nbsp;

You can&nbsp;now write for&nbsp;wionews.com&nbsp;and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

Synthetic skin, made of polypropylene glycol and silicone and one that can stretch like human skin without any tearing, besides having magnetic properties which help the skin to self-align, has been developed by scientists at Stanford University.

Synthetic skin, made of polypropylene glycol and silicone and one that can stretch like human skin without any tearing, besides having magnetic properties which help the skin to self-align, has been developed by scientists at Stanford University. On warming, the two polymers soften and flow and solidify when they cool. When it is heated at around 158 degree Fahrenheit, the healing and self-alignment take place in about 24 hours. The team stated that the skin could create "reconfigurable soft robots that can change shape and sense their deformation on demand" and ultimately transform warfare. PhD candidate and Co-author Chris Cooper said, "We've achieved what we believe to be the first demonstration of a multi-layer, thin film sensor that automatically realigns during healing. This is a critical step toward mimicking human skin, which has multiple layers that all re-assemble correctly during the healing process." ALSO READ | Ultimate guide to skin pH! Medical expert reveals why it's important to maintain pH balance Real Terminator The team stated that the skin invented is closest to the futuristic e-skin which was donned by Arnold Schwarzenegger's character in The Terminator. The same layering technique of human skin was used by Cooper and his colleagues to develop their innovation. Co-author Dr Sam Root stated, "One layer might sense pressure, another temperature, and yet another tension." The experts can engineer the skin layers to sense mechanical, thermal or electrical changes. Each layer's backbone is formed of long molecular chains which are connected by dynamic hydrogen bonds, which are similar to those that hold the DNA strands' double helix together. This ensures that the skin can be stretched repeatedly without tearing, similar to latex. "Skin is slow to heal, too. I cut my finger the other day, and it was still healing four or five days later. For us, the most important part is that it heals to recover functions without our input or effort," Cooper stated. Silicone and PPG (polypropylene glycol) have been used by the researchers. Both materials have mechanical and rubber-like properties and biocompatibility. WATCH | Amputees could feel warmth of human touch with new bionic technology Both materials were designed carefully to ensure they have similar viscous and elastic responses to the stress they face externally over an appropriate temperature range. Further, adding magnetic materials also helped the prototype to self-assemble from various pieces. Meanwhile, co-author Prof Renee Zhao said, "Combining with magnetic field-guided navigation and induction heating, we may be able to build reconfigurable soft robots that can change shape and sense their deformation on demand." "The long-term vision of the skin is to create devices that can recover from extreme damage. For example, imagine a device that, when torn into pieces and ripped apart, could reconstruct itself autonomously," the professor added. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Real Terminators? Synthetic self-healing skin likely to create killer robots on battlefield

Robotic arms are widely in use in the automotive industries and in sectors where rapid assembly of products have to be carried out. From painting to welding, robotics arms execute the task of the work-in-progress goods that are travelling on a conveyor belt. However, an object being slightly disturbed or displaced from its original position can cause errors and the task being executed would be carried out improperly. Even worse, it could cause damage to both the expensive robotic arm and the assembly line.&nbsp;

CynLr, short for Cybernetics Laboratories, is an Indian startup that is working towards building vision and intelligence into such robotic arms that are being used in the industry. "We are building a camera platform that closely mimics the human eye and enables robotic arms to see and experience the world and interact with objects, irrespective of the light variation, type of object etc" Gokul, Co-Founder of CynLr told WION.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/indian?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#indian</a> startup CynLR is building vision&amp; intelligence into robotic arms&amp; enabling them to pick&amp; work with a range of objects. Camera&amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/tech?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#tech</a> built by <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bengaluru?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bengaluru</a>-based CynLr helps robots sense motion, color, depth under varying light 
 
They say, robotic arms can soon make dosas! <a href="https://t.co/kRcZ8Klboy">pic.twitter.com/kRcZ8Klboy</a>
— Sidharth.M.P (@sdhrthmp) <a href="https://twitter.com/sdhrthmp/status/1631266885605134336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

According to the firm, their camera-enabled robotic arms are already proven for operating in manufacturing setups where Computer Numeric Control(CNC) machines are being used. In simple terms, CNC is the automated control of machining tools such as drills, mills, lathes, and grinders, via a computer. The company revealed that they have entered into commercial engagements with a leading CNC machine manufacturer in India and two automotive Original Equipment Manufacturers(OEMs) in North America, for offering different solutions.&nbsp;

In automotive assembly, 'Kitting' is a process where different parts are picked from random orientations and made into kits before assembly. For example, in automotive manufacturing, kits of parts are delivered to the next stage of production at exactly the time that a kit is needed. CynLr said that they are working to solve such challenging use cases in Automotive Assembly.

To further their R&amp;D efforts, CynLr recently inaugurated a 13,000sq ft facility in Bengaluru, with a capacity for 25 robots to develop electronics, software and camera solutions. "We are making advances in the grasping system(ability to hold objects) of the robotic arm. The camera provides motion-sensing, colour and object depth- all in one system and such factors will help the robotic arm determine- what object it is, how far to reach, how to apply this data and how to pick it. Be it a bag of chips or a nut and bolt, the system will help the robot pick it" he explained. He added that such tasks could be carried out with no pre-training and it is a first-of-its-kind.

In another interesting application of their technology, the company is said to be working on developing vision and intelligence technology to enable robotic arms to make Dosas. This requirement is said to have come from a client in North America and the CynLr team is looking to modify robotic arms from just picking and performing simple actions to even cooking the perfect dosas!&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Robotic arms are widely in use in the automotive industries and in sectors where rapid assembly of products have to be carried out. From painting to welding, robotics arms execute the task of the work-in-progress goods that are travelling on a conveyor belt.

Robotic arms are widely in use in the automotive industries and in sectors where rapid assembly of products have to be carried out. From painting to welding, robotics arms execute the task of the work-in-progress goods that are travelling on a conveyor belt. However, an object being slightly disturbed or displaced from its original position can cause errors and the task being executed would be carried out improperly. Even worse, it could cause damage to both the expensive robotic arm and the assembly line. CynLr, short for Cybernetics Laboratories, is an Indian startup that is working towards building vision and intelligence into such robotic arms that are being used in the industry. "We are building a camera platform that closely mimics the human eye and enables robotic arms to see and experience the world and interact with objects, irrespective of the light variation, type of object etc" Gokul, Co-Founder of CynLr told WION. #indian startup CynLR is building vision& intelligence into robotic arms& enabling them to pick& work with a range of objects. Camera& #tech built by #Bengaluru-based CynLr helps robots sense motion, color, depth under varying light They say, robotic arms can soon make dosas! pic.twitter.com/kRcZ8Klboy — Sidharth.M.P (@sdhrthmp) March 2, 2023 × According to the firm, their camera-enabled robotic arms are already proven for operating in manufacturing setups where Computer Numeric Control(CNC) machines are being used. In simple terms, CNC is the automated control of machining tools such as drills, mills, lathes, and grinders, via a computer. The company revealed that they have entered into commercial engagements with a leading CNC machine manufacturer in India and two automotive Original Equipment Manufacturers(OEMs) in North America, for offering different solutions. In automotive assembly, 'Kitting' is a process where different parts are picked from random orientations and made into kits before assembly. For example, in automotive manufacturing, kits of parts are delivered to the next stage of production at exactly the time that a kit is needed. CynLr said that they are working to solve such challenging use cases in Automotive Assembly. To further their R&D efforts, CynLr recently inaugurated a 13,000sq ft facility in Bengaluru, with a capacity for 25 robots to develop electronics, software and camera solutions. "We are making advances in the grasping system(ability to hold objects) of the robotic arm. The camera provides motion-sensing, colour and object depth- all in one system and such factors will help the robotic arm determine- what object it is, how far to reach, how to apply this data and how to pick it. Be it a bag of chips or a nut and bolt, the system will help the robot pick it" he explained. He added that such tasks could be carried out with no pre-training and it is a first-of-its-kind. In another interesting application of their technology, the company is said to be working on developing vision and intelligence technology to enable robotic arms to make Dosas. This requirement is said to have come from a client in North America and the CynLr team is looking to modify robotic arms from just picking and performing simple actions to even cooking the perfect dosas! WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Indian start-up CynLr is helping industrial robotic arms gain ’vision and intelligence’

Google, which recently laid off thousands of employees globally, is now laying off the robots that cleaned cafeterias at its headquarters. A report by Wired recently said that Alphabet's "Everyday Robots"&nbsp;project — a unit under Google's experimental X laboratories — has been shut down by Google's chief executive officer (CEO) Sundar Pichai.

More than 100 wheeled one-armed robots that were trained by the project to clean cafeterias, separate trash and recycling and open doors, are being laid off. “Everyday Robots will no longer be a separate project within Alphabet,” Denise Gamboa, director of marketing and communications for the project, said, reported Wired.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/google-layoffs-late-night-email-terminates-453-employees-in-india-562943">Google layoffs: Late-night email terminates 453 employees in India</a>

Everyday Robots had emerged from the rubble of at least eight robotic acquisitions by Google 10 years back. A former employee said that from its earliest days, the project struggled with whether its mission was to pursue advanced research or deliver a product to market. More than 200 people were employed and robotics experts estimated that the robots likely cost thousands of dollars,&nbsp;which was expensive for Alphabet.&nbsp;

“It’s unfortunate to see it shut down,” the former employee said, adding robots could do meaningful work in a general way. "I don't think it’s a sign of a lack of progress. With the right focus, in five years you could have a meaningful product in the market."

For the last few years, Alphabet has been developing an integrated hardware and software system for learning, including the transfer of knowledge from the virtual to the actual world. The robots slowly gained a greater grasp of the world around them and became more adept at executing ordinary activities, using a combination of machine learning techniques like reinforcement learning, collaborative learning, and learning from demonstration.

With the robot division now shut down, some of its technology could be used for other divisions.

 
 
WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Google, which recently laid off thousands of employees globally, is now laying off the robots that cleaned cafeterias at its headquarters. A report by Wired recently said that Alphabet's "Everyday Robots" project — a unit under Google's experimental X laboratories — has been shut down by Google's chief executive officer (CEO) Sundar Pichai.

Google, which recently laid off thousands of employees globally, is now laying off the robots that cleaned cafeterias at its headquarters. A report by Wired recently said that Alphabet's "Everyday Robots" project — a unit under Google's experimental X laboratories — has been shut down by Google's chief executive officer (CEO) Sundar Pichai. More than 100 wheeled one-armed robots that were trained by the project to clean cafeterias, separate trash and recycling and open doors, are being laid off. “Everyday Robots will no longer be a separate project within Alphabet,” Denise Gamboa, director of marketing and communications for the project, said, reported Wired. ALSO READ | Google layoffs: Late-night email terminates 453 employees in India Everyday Robots had emerged from the rubble of at least eight robotic acquisitions by Google 10 years back. A former employee said that from its earliest days, the project struggled with whether its mission was to pursue advanced research or deliver a product to market. More than 200 people were employed and robotics experts estimated that the robots likely cost thousands of dollars, which was expensive for Alphabet. “It’s unfortunate to see it shut down,” the former employee said, adding robots could do meaningful work in a general way. "I don't think it’s a sign of a lack of progress. With the right focus, in five years you could have a meaningful product in the market." For the last few years, Alphabet has been developing an integrated hardware and software system for learning, including the transfer of knowledge from the virtual to the actual world. The robots slowly gained a greater grasp of the world around them and became more adept at executing ordinary activities, using a combination of machine learning techniques like reinforcement learning, collaborative learning, and learning from demonstration. With the robot division now shut down, some of its technology could be used for other divisions. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

After staff, Google now lays off over 100 robots that cleaned cafeterias: Report

Vikram Chandra explains the good, bad, and ugly sides of AI, and how while AI has the potential to change our lives for good, it could also perhaps lead to human extinction within our lifetime.

The India Story | The good, bad, and ugly of AI

On Tech It Out, we keep bringing you the latest developments from the world of robotics. In this video, we show you a robot that can now do what was once impossible without human intervention.

Can robots help address America's nursing shortage? | Tech It Out

Better late than never. Governments around the world are taking steps to tackle the risks of allowing the development and spread of killer robots, technically known as Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS).&nbsp;

LAWS differ from the vast array of weapons in today’s arsenals – from intercontinental ballistic missiles to the drones used to devastating effect by Russia and Ukraine – because they can make decisions on what or whom to strike, who lives and who dies, without human intervention.

Artificial intelligence, facial recognition and millions of lines of codes will take the place of human operators. It is a concept in sharp contrast to the way the United States used Predator drones in Afghanistan and Iraq. They were flown by pilots sitting in front of television screens in cubicles at the Creech Air Force base in Nevada, 8,000 miles from the target areas.&nbsp;

The human operators were “on the loop,” the military jargon for constant control. LAWS would operate on the principle of “human out of the loop.”

Watch | War in Ukraine: 30 minutes after Zelensky's speech, Russia launches drone attacks

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/war-in-ukraine-30-minutes-after-zelenskys-speech-russia-launches-drone-attacks-548577/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The United States, the world’s biggest maker and exporter of weapons, has no LAWS in its arsenal, according to the Pentagon. But it does have a definition: “weapons systems that, once activated, can select and engage targets without further intervention by a human operator.”&nbsp;

The pros and cons of killer robots have been debated in military academies and among arms control experts for almost two decades but the topic won little public attention and scant news coverage despite the efforts of advocacy groups such as stopkillerrobots.org and humanrightswatch.org.

The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has been outspoken on the subject: “Autonomous machines with the power and discretion to select targets and take lives without human involvement are politically unacceptable, morally repugnant and should be prohibited by international law,” he has said.

Such statements produced few headlines. One reason: Unlike the years-long campaign that led to the 1997 treaty banning anti-personnel mines, the anti-LAWS movement has lacked celebrity backers. The mine ban’s vocal supporters included the late Princess Diana and the actress Angelina Jolie.

There are signs now that a movement to ban or at least regulate killer robots is finally getting traction. Last October, the topic was formally raised at the UN General Assembly for the first time when 70 states agreed on a resolution calling for internationally agreed rules and limits on autonomous weapons systems.

A resolution by 70 countries falls far short of the two-thirds majority required in the General Assembly to stir the Security Council, the UN’s supreme decision-making body, into action.

But the issue will be raised again next month at a global summit, the first of its kind, hosted by the Dutch government, to discuss Responsible Artificial Intelligence in the Military Domain. According to the Netherlands government, the meeting was prompted by the need to give the topic “a higher place on the international agenda.” Dubbed REAIM 2023, the summit is scheduled for February 15 and 16 at The Hague.

There is no full list of participants yet. The government says the summit will be a platform for governments, industry, civil society, academia and think tanks to forge a common understanding of the opportunities, dilemmas and vulnerabilities associated with military AI.

The 70 countries that signed the General Assembly statement included the US, Britain, Sweden, Norway, Australia, Belgium, and Germany – all countries with the capacity to produce LAWS.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/killer-robots-arent-science-fiction-a-push-to-ban-them-is-growing-437886">Killer robots aren’t science fiction. A push to ban them is growing.</a>

No country has yet deployed LAWS in combat, according to military experts. But for proponents of using them, the logic appears obvious. If a country can fight wars with great efficiency, accurately pick out opponents from thousands of feet in the sky without the need for soldiers on the battlefield, why not?

The main argument by opponents is that the threshold for states going to war would be lowered by autonomous weapons. As an analysis in the Harvard Political Review put it, “many philosophers, political scientists and governments have expressed the concern that militaries will resort to conflicts more often if they do not need to rely on soldiers.”

One concern often expressed by experts in discussions on the future of war is that technology is running ahead of deliberations of ethical and legal questions.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/san-francisco-reverses-move-to-allow-police-use-killer-robots-after-backlash-540858">After backlash, San Francisco reverses move to permit use of ‘killer robots’ by police</a>

Many of those have no convincing answers. Such as, can you programme the Laws of War and the Rules of Engagement into an autonomous weapon? Or, if something goes wrong, resulting in the death of civilians, who will be held responsible? The robot’s manufacturer? The designers? Software programmers? The commanding officer in whose unit the weapon operates? Or the political leader who gave the green light for deploying LAWS in the first place?

The forthcoming summit in The Hague so far has no catchy slogan. Here’s my suggestion: We need laws about LAWS.

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

Better late than never. Governments around the world are taking steps to tackle the risks of allowing the development and spread of killer robots, technically known as Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS).

Better late than never. Governments around the world are taking steps to tackle the risks of allowing the development and spread of killer robots, technically known as Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS). LAWS differ from the vast array of weapons in today’s arsenals – from intercontinental ballistic missiles to the drones used to devastating effect by Russia and Ukraine – because they can make decisions on what or whom to strike, who lives and who dies, without human intervention. Artificial intelligence, facial recognition and millions of lines of codes will take the place of human operators. It is a concept in sharp contrast to the way the United States used Predator drones in Afghanistan and Iraq. They were flown by pilots sitting in front of television screens in cubicles at the Creech Air Force base in Nevada, 8,000 miles from the target areas. The human operators were “on the loop,” the military jargon for constant control. LAWS would operate on the principle of “human out of the loop.” Watch | War in Ukraine: 30 minutes after Zelensky's speech, Russia launches drone attacks × The United States, the world’s biggest maker and exporter of weapons, has no LAWS in its arsenal, according to the Pentagon. But it does have a definition: “weapons systems that, once activated, can select and engage targets without further intervention by a human operator.” The pros and cons of killer robots have been debated in military academies and among arms control experts for almost two decades but the topic won little public attention and scant news coverage despite the efforts of advocacy groups such as stopkillerrobots.org and humanrightswatch.org. The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has been outspoken on the subject: “Autonomous machines with the power and discretion to select targets and take lives without human involvement are politically unacceptable, morally repugnant and should be prohibited by international law,” he has said. Such statements produced few headlines. One reason: Unlike the years-long campaign that led to the 1997 treaty banning anti-personnel mines, the anti-LAWS movement has lacked celebrity backers. The mine ban’s vocal supporters included the late Princess Diana and the actress Angelina Jolie. There are signs now that a movement to ban or at least regulate killer robots is finally getting traction. Last October, the topic was formally raised at the UN General Assembly for the first time when 70 states agreed on a resolution calling for internationally agreed rules and limits on autonomous weapons systems. A resolution by 70 countries falls far short of the two-thirds majority required in the General Assembly to stir the Security Council, the UN’s supreme decision-making body, into action. But the issue will be raised again next month at a global summit, the first of its kind, hosted by the Dutch government, to discuss Responsible Artificial Intelligence in the Military Domain. According to the Netherlands government, the meeting was prompted by the need to give the topic “a higher place on the international agenda.” Dubbed REAIM 2023, the summit is scheduled for February 15 and 16 at The Hague. There is no full list of participants yet. The government says the summit will be a platform for governments, industry, civil society, academia and think tanks to forge a common understanding of the opportunities, dilemmas and vulnerabilities associated with military AI. The 70 countries that signed the General Assembly statement included the US, Britain, Sweden, Norway, Australia, Belgium, and Germany – all countries with the capacity to produce LAWS. Also Read | Killer robots aren’t science fiction. A push to ban them is growing. No country has yet deployed LAWS in combat, according to military experts. But for proponents of using them, the logic appears obvious. If a country can fight wars with great efficiency, accurately pick out opponents from thousands of feet in the sky without the need for soldiers on the battlefield, why not? The main argument by opponents is that the threshold for states going to war would be lowered by autonomous weapons. As an analysis in the Harvard Political Review put it, “many philosophers, political scientists and governments have expressed the concern that militaries will resort to conflicts more often if they do not need to rely on soldiers.” One concern often expressed by experts in discussions on the future of war is that technology is running ahead of deliberations of ethical and legal questions. Also Read | After backlash, San Francisco reverses move to permit use of ‘killer robots’ by police Many of those have no convincing answers. Such as, can you programme the Laws of War and the Rules of Engagement into an autonomous weapon? Or, if something goes wrong, resulting in the death of civilians, who will be held responsible? The robot’s manufacturer? The designers? Software programmers? The commanding officer in whose unit the weapon operates? Or the political leader who gave the green light for deploying LAWS in the first place? The forthcoming summit in The Hague so far has no catchy slogan. Here’s my suggestion: We need laws about LAWS. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Killer robots and the future of war

Israeli startup Tevel Aerobotics, there is a severe shortage of workers available to pick fruit at orchards. That's why the company is developing an alternative, in the form of autonomous flying drones that do the job.

Gravitas: Israel's fruit-picking flying robots

Gravitas: Israel's fruit-picking flying

Lawmakers in San Francisco have voted to ban the controversial policy of letting police use robots for deadly force amidst concerns over militarisation and automation of policing.&nbsp;The San Francisco police department (SFPD) has 17 robots in its arsenal that can even kill people during action.

The city’s board of supervisors have decided to prohibit the use of police robots to be used in such a lethal manner, however, they have called for further review by a committee to later decided whether to allow killer robots to be used in limited cases.

The major U-turn comes a week after the board members voted to allow robots to be armed with explosives “when risk of loss of life to members of the public or officers is imminent and outweighs any other force option available to SFPD”.

They had also decided that only top officers would be granted permission to authorise the deployment of robots for deadly use.

The decision to revoke the earlier move comes in the wake of a series of protests by civil society organisations and three members of the board who earlier opposed using killer robots.

On Monday, they staged a protest outside City Hall seeking to reverse the decision, with chants like “We all saw that movie … No Killer Robots.”

One of the members who opposed the move, supervisor Dean Preston, on Tuesday welcomed the decision, saying that there is no place for “killer robots”.

“The people of San Francisco have spoken loud and clear: There is no place for killer police robots in our city,” he said in a statement after the vote, according to AP news agency.

“We should be working on ways to decrease the use of force by local law enforcement, not giving them new tools to kill people.”

So far, only San Francisco and Oakland have debated on the use of lethal robots. The Oakland police wanted to arm robots with shotguns but did not proceed with the move in the face of fierce public opposition.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE: 

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

Lawmakers in San Francisco have voted to ban the controversial policy of letting police use robots for deadly force amidst concerns over militarisation and automation of policing.

Lawmakers in San Francisco have voted to ban the controversial policy of letting police use robots for deadly force amidst concerns over militarisation and automation of policing. The San Francisco police department (SFPD) has 17 robots in its arsenal that can even kill people during action. The city’s board of supervisors have decided to prohibit the use of police robots to be used in such a lethal manner, however, they have called for further review by a committee to later decided whether to allow killer robots to be used in limited cases. The major U-turn comes a week after the board members voted to allow robots to be armed with explosives “when risk of loss of life to members of the public or officers is imminent and outweighs any other force option available to SFPD”. They had also decided that only top officers would be granted permission to authorise the deployment of robots for deadly use. The decision to revoke the earlier move comes in the wake of a series of protests by civil society organisations and three members of the board who earlier opposed using killer robots. On Monday, they staged a protest outside City Hall seeking to reverse the decision, with chants like “We all saw that movie … No Killer Robots.” One of the members who opposed the move, supervisor Dean Preston, on Tuesday welcomed the decision, saying that there is no place for “killer robots”. “The people of San Francisco have spoken loud and clear: There is no place for killer police robots in our city,” he said in a statement after the vote, according to AP news agency. “We should be working on ways to decrease the use of force by local law enforcement, not giving them new tools to kill people.” So far, only San Francisco and Oakland have debated on the use of lethal robots. The Oakland police wanted to arm robots with shotguns but did not proceed with the move in the face of fierce public opposition. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

After backlash, San Francisco reverses move to permit use of ‘killer robots’ by police

Japan is known as the robot capital of the world. The country's technological advancements have managed to revolutionise almost every digital space across the globe.

Japan is known as the robot capital of the world. The country's technological advancements have managed to revolutionise almost every digital space across the globe. Now, a research team in Osaka has managed to develop a humanoid robot that has almost eerie similarities to the country's Digital Minister Taro Kono. The developers of the 175-centimetre-tall android claim that its body movement is almost human-like. Kono is also seemingly impressed and jokes about how he will like to take his alter-ego to a budget committee meeting. “With parliamentary approval, I would let him attend a budget committee meeting." The main aim of developing such robots is to examine if social activities can be conducted remotely in the country which focuses a lot on individual privacy. As reported by WION, last year in December, a local government in Japan launched a similar ground-breaking programme to assist people who are socially isolated. WATCH | Gravitas: Why Japan is obsessed with robots × A green-eyed, nine-inch-tall robot served as people's alter egos. The robot, named OriHime was showcased and developers claimed that it can be used to assist those who are afraid of social contact. Read more: 'Avatar' in real life? Japan's alter-ego robots for people with social anxiety To the rest of the world, it might look weird, but in Japan, it's normal as humanoids are pretty common. A report published by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) in March this year revealed that Japan is the world's number one industrial robot manufacturer, delivering 45 per cent of the global supply. As per the report, Japan's robot suppliers have increased their production capacity considerably. Their export ratio rose to 78 per cent in 2020 and at that time 136,069 industrial robots were shipped. Read more: In Japan, humanoids are pretty common (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Japanese Digital Minister Taro Kono has an alter ego robot

Robots are helping to keep shadow puppetry alive in Malaysia. Shadow puppet enthusiasts hope that robots will be able to save this ancient art.

WION Dispatch: Robots keep shadow puppetry alive in Malaysia

Technology is taking over human work day by day, even in cooking food now. As per recent news, a company in south California has developed a high-tech robotic arm that makes better French fries and onion rings than humans.&nbsp;

Miso, the company that developed the robotic arm, which will be directed by cameras and artificial intelligence that will take the frozen fries out of the freezer, fry them and pour them into a tray with sauce. Amazing, isn't it?

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/asteroid-that-wiped-out-dinosaurs-also-triggered-global-tsunami-waves-says-study-522647">Also read |&nbsp;Asteroid that wiped out dinosaurs also triggered global tsunami waves, says study</a>

In an interview with Reuters, Mike Bell, Miso's Chief Executive Chief, said, "When an order comes in through the restaurant system, it automatically spits out the instructions to Floppy." He further said, "... It does it faster, more accurately, more reliably, and happier than most humans do it."

The company stated that it took five years for it to build 'Flippy2.'

The name 'Flippy 2' comes from flappy. Miso earlier developed a machine that would help with flipping the burgers. After the machine was designed, the company felt a need for a helping hand at the fry station. So the idea of "Flippy" came into being.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-push-to-diversify-from-china-apple-asks-suppliers-to-move-airpods-beats-production-to-india-522594">Also read |&nbsp;In push to diversify from China, Apple asks suppliers to move AirPods, Beats production to India</a>

The chief executive further added that till now, three companies have Flippy 2 but haven't advertised it due to fear of hurting sentiments that robots are taking away their jobs.

Despite being helpful, the company said that Flippy 2 gets a lot of attention the first time, people take photos and videos, but then the machine is taken for granted.&nbsp;

However, Mike said that he believes there'll be a time when you'll walk into a restaurant and see a robot there doing work and think to yourself that there was a time when humans used to work. These days are coming soon.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

&nbsp;

Technology is taking over human work day by day, even in cooking food now. As per recent news, a company in south California has developed a high-tech robotic arm that makes better French fries and onion rings than humans.

Technology is taking over human work day by day, even in cooking food now. As per recent news, a company in south California has developed a high-tech robotic arm that makes better French fries and onion rings than humans. Miso, the company that developed the robotic arm, which will be directed by cameras and artificial intelligence that will take the frozen fries out of the freezer, fry them and pour them into a tray with sauce. Amazing, isn't it? Also read | Asteroid that wiped out dinosaurs also triggered global tsunami waves, says study In an interview with Reuters, Mike Bell, Miso's Chief Executive Chief, said, "When an order comes in through the restaurant system, it automatically spits out the instructions to Floppy." He further said, "... It does it faster, more accurately, more reliably, and happier than most humans do it." The company stated that it took five years for it to build 'Flippy2.' The name 'Flippy 2' comes from flappy. Miso earlier developed a machine that would help with flipping the burgers. After the machine was designed, the company felt a need for a helping hand at the fry station. So the idea of "Flippy" came into being. Also read | In push to diversify from China, Apple asks suppliers to move AirPods, Beats production to India The chief executive further added that till now, three companies have Flippy 2 but haven't advertised it due to fear of hurting sentiments that robots are taking away their jobs. Despite being helpful, the company said that Flippy 2 gets a lot of attention the first time, people take photos and videos, but then the machine is taken for granted. However, Mike said that he believes there'll be a time when you'll walk into a restaurant and see a robot there doing work and think to yourself that there was a time when humans used to work. These days are coming soon. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

'More accurate, reliable, and happier': Robo arm makes better french fries, onion rings than humans

We have seen robots performing different duties in the kitchen and now they can even make french fries and onion rings. Yes, you read it right, a company in US' California has launched what its calls the 'flippy 2' robot. The robot automates the process of deep frying potatoes and onions powered by cameras and artificial intelligence.

World Business Watch: US company 'Flippy 2' robots can make french fries faster than humans

robots

Robots, News on Robots, stories on Robots, articles on Robots, Robots stories at Wion, Robots news, Robots latest news