Discussion Post: How much robotics is too Much?
This is an age of automation and computerization. Marvels are possible in our time, but sometimes certain citizens become frustrated with these modern innovations.
For example, there are people who are annoyed by solicitations via the telephone. Such solicitations are often timed for the dinner hour so that family members will be at home, which doubles the bother. Add to this the automated telephone solicitor. You answer your phone, and a recording begins to speak. Some react by thinking: "If your firm does not think enough of me as a prospective client to have a human call me, then I absolutely refuse to listen to your message."
More and more robots are being used in industry, and more and more of the products we consume are parts manufactured by the concept we call robotics.
Certainly, the fact that robots save wages for a firm is considerable motivation to employ them. Also, robots do an excellent job of precise, repetitive jobs. But the question arises of whether robots do as good a job as humans. The experts would say that it depends on the task involved and the quality level of the humans replaced in the process.
1) Suppose you are traveling down the highway in a new car. Would you gain more comfort and security from the knowledge that your car was carefully assembled by ultra conscientious and highly skilled artisans or some experimental robots being broken in at the factory? Explain your answer. Look for articles on the Internet on this subject to pull new information.
2) Would you react favorably to a doctor being assisted by a robot? How would you like the idea of a robot being involved in an operation on you?
3) Would the use of a robot save the patient money? If so, would insurance firms opt for robotics operations all the time to cut costs?