Description
Book SynopsisA social robot is a robot that interacts and communicates with humans or other autonomous physical agents by following social behaviors and rules attached to its role. We seem to accept the use of robots that perform dull, dirty, and dangerous jobs. But how far do we want to go with the automation of care for children and the elderly, or the killing of terrorists? Would we be setting humanity aside if we accepted such automation?
Just Ordinary Robots: Automation from Love to War provides a socially involved, yet sober, view into the new age of robots. It supplies a cutting-edge look at robot technologies, including what these technologies are capable of and the ethical and regulatory questions they raise.
The book surveys the various types of social robots and examines their social significance in homes, health care, traffic, the police, and the military. Considering the technical characteristics and societal expectations of robots in these area
Trade Review
"Just Ordinary Robots: Automation from Love to War examines the social significance of the new generation of five types of robots: the home robot, the care robot, police and private drones, the car robot, and the military robot. ... This book is the result of many years of research by the Rathenau Institute, The Netherlands’ key research and debating center for science, technology, and society. In 2012, this research led to the publication of the Dutch book Overal Robots (Robots Everywhere), written by Lambèr Royakkers, Floortje Daemen, and Rinie van Est. This book is an updated and drastically revised version of that book."
—From the Book’s Foreword by Frans Brom, Head of Technology Assessment, Rathenau Institute, The Hague, The Netherlands
Table of ContentsRobots Everywhere. Home Is Where the Robot Is: Mechanoids, Humanoids, and Androids. Taking Care of Our Parents: The Role of Domotics and Robots. Drones in the City: Toward a Floating Robotic Panopticon? Who Drives the Car? Armed Military Drones: The Ethics behind Various Degrees of Autonomy. Automation from Love to War.
