The nature of my job, exposes me to many areas of research and development. Robotic systems, autonomous vehicles, cognitive systems and other similar areas are currently hot topics in many research labs in academia, industry,and of course the military.
There are a number of groups involved with research in this areas. One of the most useful is that of robotic systems that can help assist the elderly. Different aspects are being researched by various groups. Some research groups are looking at individual autonomous systems that help the elderly in specific areas, say bathrooms, or kitchen. Other groups are looking at humanoid robotic systems that integrate a variety of capabilities and help in numerous domestic tasks.
Billions of dollars are being spent by government and private organizations on robotic or autonomous systems. The most funding of course comes from the military. Most of the military projects are aimed at bomb detection and disabling systems, scouting systems, systems to assist soldiers in hazardous areas etc. There is also substantial government funding worldwide on autonomous systems that can assist in civil defence like fire department, and security management.
The developments in many of the research labs are incredible. But as most inventions, some of the uses envisaged are also incredibly lethal. I wonder how much of the motivation for these systems is to take away public pressure on governments that go to war. The more the wars are automated, the less body bags the citizens see. Saving human life is a great endeavour, but these same inventions can allow the government to go to war without accountability, because often those of us coming from, and living in countries where people opinions count, look at body bags on our side and not at the cost of the war or the lives taken in the regions our politicians decide to wage war on. We need to make sure that our money does not give governments a licence to kill.
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