Wired has an interesting article on the in process robotic revolution that promises to change our definition of a job as much as the industrial revolution did to end the agricultural era. One key aspect is the simplification of robotics and their ability to work closer to humans. Baxter (below) is an example.
Baxter is aware of his surroundings and can be taught without code
It’s a long article but so read the whole thing. I’ll leave you with the seven stages of robot replacement.
- 1. A robot/computer cannot possibly do the tasks I do.[Later.]
- 2. OK, it can do a lot of them, but it can’t do everything I do.[Later.]
- 3. OK, it can do everything I do, except it needs me when it breaks down, which is often.[Later.]
- 4. OK, it operates flawlessly on routine stuff, but I need to train it for new tasks.[Later.]
- 5. OK, it can have my old boring job, because it’s obvious that was not a job that humans were meant to do.[Later.]
- 6. Wow, now that robots are doing my old job, my new job is much more fun and pays more![Later.]
- 7. I am so glad a robot/computer cannot possibly do what I do now.
Just so you know, I’m on stage 7……..at least for now.
