Thinking, feeling robots in our homes by late-2020s, experts say

By Dick Pelletier

      

    After receiving a level-5 upgrade, Jeeves, the family robot is becoming a problem. He now thinks and feels more human-like, and although he is still eager to clean house, maintain security, and prepare meals; he's been asking for some 'alone' time, and he recently joined a robots rights group. We wonder what's next; nights off; dating privileges?

    Although this scenario may sound like fiction, it depicts a time when robots, programmed with human consciousness, will want to be treated more like humans. In a recent report, The World in 2030, futurist Ray Hammond predicts that over the next two decades, artificial intelligence and robotics advances will produce humanoid robots that think and feel similar to the ways that we do.

    But before researchers can instill consciousness into machines, they must first define and understand this baffling human trait. Scientists are learning volumes about the brain; how it makes split-second decisions, how it learns from the past, and how it converts light into visual scenes. But so far, nobody can say exactly what consciousness is.

    For some, deciphering the electrical pulses that travel through our brains is only half the story. The other part, more philosophical and complex, is how that brain activity translates into a person’s self-awareness and perception of the world around them.

    Positive futurists believe that projects such as Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen’s effort to create a map of the brain, HHMI's Janelia Farm research to identify thoughts at the moment of creation, and the IBM-Swiss undertaking to reverse-engineer the human brain; could, by as early as 2020, unravel many of the mysteries of consciousness.

    With a better understanding of consciousness arising from these endeavors, futurists Hans Moravec, Ray Kurzweil, and other forward thinkers believe that by late-2020s, feelings and emotions could be programmed into our household robots.

    Today, robots can make decisions about where to go and what to do, and although they cannot yet make feelings, they can show them. Ignore or abuse a robot and it becomes surly and withdrawn. Shower it with love and attention, and it blushes and makes happy smiles.

    Mitsubishi's latest entry into the world of humanoid robots includes Wakamaru, a child-shaped robot that can recognize and talk with 10 different people. Priced at $14,300, this clever creature has a vocabulary of 10,000 words, and can become companion to seniors, playmate to children, or a loving and helpful devoted family servant.

    Officials at Honda, creator of the popular household robot Asimo, believe that by the 2030s, robots will possess computing power and memory equal to the human brain. Future 'bots will learn to copy specific human behaviors and they will project an image that we may find irresistible.

    Tomorrow's android-like robots will take on an uncanny human resemblance. Former Disney scientist David Hanson has developed artificial robot skin that bunches and wrinkles just like human skin, creating smiles, frowns, and grimaces in human-like ways. Future robot mannerisms will mimic humans perfectly.

    The road to thinking, feeling robots will undoubtedly encounter many challenges, but strong commerce and enthusiastic public support will drive this "magical future" forward; and in time to benefit most of us alive today.

This article appeared in various print publications and on-line blogs. Comments always welcome.