Essay on Robots: Artificial Intelligence

Murphy (2014) defines artificial intelligence (AI) as a form of astuteness displayed by human-made objects as well as systems. Such systems are usually assumed computers. Artificial intelligence creates an important branch of computer science, dealing with intelligent behaviour as well as practical learning and adaptation in machines despite having a stable science fiction association. Research conducted in this field is highly concerned with the production of devices that can help in the automation of different tasks requiring intelligent behaviour such as that exhibited by normal human beings (Dale& Lewis, 2016). Examples of such functions include planning, controlling, scheduling, increasing the capability to respond to consumer and diagnostic inquiries, speech, handwriting as well as facial recognition.

As a result, artificial intelligence has factually evolved into a scientific field with a great focus on providing timely and reliable solutions to real life issues affecting the society (Thrun, Burgard & Fox, 2015). These systems are now commonly used in a variety of fields including medicine, economics, military and the engineering career. Artificial intelligent systems are also found in modern personalised computer software apps, video games and regular strategy games for example computerised chess (Murphy, 2014). This paper provides a detailed overview of robotics as one of the most common and advanced fields of computer science that deals with the knowledge of artificial intelligence.

A Brief History of Artificial Intelligence

Murphy (2014) adds that the Greek mythology is often referred to as the intellectual roots of AI coupled with the entire concept of intelligent machines. Robotics also evolved, as a result, their increased demand as a fundamental shift from the mechanical devices, which initially demonstrated behaviour with some amount of intelligence. The entire knowledge experienced large development after the availability of the current computers increased after the Second World War (Geraci, 2012; Murphy, 2014). Today, scientists have witnessed a paradigm shift in technology with greater opportunities for creating programs that execute difficult intellectual tasks. Increased need to have efficient and reliable processes has gradually increased the need to embed AI into machines and more so computers.

According to Geraci (2012), the first working AI programs were published in the 1950 - 1960 period. They included Christopher Stracheys draughts-playing program and a chess-playing program authored by Dietrich Prinz. In the period, 1960 1970, more scientists including Seymour Papert and Marvin Minsky wrote Perceptrons. These developments increased in the 1980s as the society witnessed the worldwide use of neural networks alongside the propagation algorithm (Dale & Lewis, 2016). The first notable improved was achieved in the 1990s with the innovation of the Deep Blue used as a chess-playing computer.

Robotics versus Artificial Intelligence

The field of robotics shares a close relationship with Artificial Intelligence. All robots require intelligent to help them in handling difficult tasks such as navigation and manipulation of objects, which are often accompanied with sub-problems of object localisation, motion planning and mapping. However, the field of robotics has remained a centre for human interest over decades with the people perception of this discipline being affected by the media and the Hollywood. Robots have the ability to change depending on the environment they find themselves operating.

A good example exists with robots working in the outer Space (Dale & Lewis, 2016). These robots have well-developed human controlled and manipulative arms to help in the process of unloading the docking bay of space shuttles. This process allows the shuttles to put a space station or to launch satellites. The intelligent home also provides a primary example of where robots are being used to fasten and automate most of the daily in-house activities from one household to another (Thrun, Burgard & Fox, 2015). Robotically automated systems are currently used in the monitoring of home security, energy usage as well as regulation of different environmental conditions.

According to Geraci (2012), the use of robots allows doors and windows to be opened automatically while various appliances such as air conditioning and lighting can be efficiently programmed to activate. This practice helps households irrespective of their mobility states. Exploration industry has also recorded major developments as robots are used to visit different environments believed to be harmful to humans. A good example is whereby robots are utilized in the process of monitoring the environment inside a volcanic mountain as well as the course of exploring the world's deepest oceans (Murphy, 2014). NASA uses different robotic probes to explore the nine planets since the nineteen sixties.

Nevertheless, the military depends on robots such as airborne drones for surveillance (Thrun, Burgard & Fox, 2015). More inventions combined with the use of robotics will see motorized vehicles and aircraft used in the process of carrying fuel and ammunition of the minefields. Robots are also used in agricultural farms as automated harvesters utilise artificial intelligence to cut and gather crops during harvesting (Geraci, 2012; Murphy, 2014). Additionally, agriculturalists are working hard to avail robotic dairies to enable farm operators to not only feed but also milk their cows in remote areas.

Fritz (2013) contends that the modern car industry uses robotic arms with the ability to carry out multiple tasks in the process of manufacturing and assembling motor vehicles. These robotic arms have the potential to perform various tasks such as cutting, welding, sorting, blending and lifting. The food processing industry is currently planning and using similar applications though on a small scale to help in carrying out activities such as cutting, trimming, as well as processing of different types of meat including lamb, beef and fish (Thrun, Burgard & Fox, 2015). Moreover, disaster prone areas such as fire outbreaks and earthquakes rely on surveillance robots fitted with various innovative imaging and sensing equipment for scanning floors, walls and ceiling for enhanced structural integrity (Russell, Norvig & Davis, 2014).

Similarly, robots have currently thronged and improved the entire field of entertainment (Fritz, 2013). From playing pool to chase games, robots are responsible for the worldwide transformation of the entertainment field. There are some advanced and interactive robots exhibiting human behaviour and learning ability such as that developed by Sonny. This robot can move freely, plays with a ball and can efficiently respond to verbal instructions given by the person in control (National Research Council, 2013). This technique has been advanced into the new Play Station (PS) where many people especially the youths can spend their leisure time.

Whitby (2015) research findings suggest that the healthcare field is currently witnessing enormous transformations brought about by the efficient utilisation of robots. Currently, scientists are developing a robotic suit that will allow nurses and other medical practitioners to lift their parents with minimal or no harm on their backs. This technique has been tested and proven authentic and reliable by scientists in Japan. This power-assisted suit will enable nurses to lift bed-ridden clients on and off their beds (Russell, Norvig & Davis, 2014). The greatest benefits lie in the manner in which this invention will transform the lives of Japans especially the elderly whose health care provision pose a great challenge to the government.

According to Fritz (2013), robotics may offer an amicable solution for the healthcare challenges not only in the developing but also in the developed countries. Most of the research institutions such as those Japan are working tirelessly to create robotic nurses to either replace or substitute humans. Nurses are efficiently fitted with these weight-enhanced suits to allow them to carry or lift patients weighing heavier than they do. However, this invention still calls for more improvements due to its associated challenges (Whitby, 2015). Despite its benefit in lifting the patient, one cannot climb stairs with the patient being carried.

Advantages of Using Robots

National Research Council (2013) ascertains that the use of robots as a sample computer science device that deals with artificial intelligent outweigh its disadvantages. First, robots have demonstrated an ability to produce high-quality products constantly and to carry out different tasks efficiently in the business world. This advantage is associated with the fact that robots are not exhausted as human beings and that they can work continuously without any stops. As such, they produce high-quality goods while executing commands faster than people (Geraci, 2012; Murphy, 2014). Secondly, robots have more management benefits than their human counterparts do.

According to the National Research Council (2013), robotic employees never get sick, they do not waste time and hardly do they require time to prepare for work. As such, many managers do not have to worry about unfilled positions or high employee turnover. Additionally, robots have employee benefits as they can execute different tasks that no one can do(Geraci, 2012; Murphy, 2014). Robots are always ready to do dangerous, mundane and repetitive jobs as opposed to their human counterparts. Another advantage is that the introduction of robots in a workplace does not necessarily transform into the elimination of employment since their addition calls for the work of highly skilled human employees (Russell, Norvig & Davis, 2014).

Finally, robots are associated with high consumer benefits due to their ability to contribute to the production of high-quality goods within a short period. This practice results in cheaper and affordable products for the final consumer (Thrun, Burgard & Fox, 2015). The quickly produced products significantly lead to the reduction of some time users are usually forced to wait for the products to be supplied in the markets.

Shortcomings Associated with the Use of Robots

Different researchers and filmmakers have expressed many fears and concerns related to the continuous use and over-reliance on robots (Geraci, 2012; Murphy, 2014). A common fear of these researchers lies in the contention that human beings may develop a group of highly intelligent robots that may be highly motivated to destroy or take over the human race. Some films have shown the existence of different robots with the ability to kill and destroy with others developing super-human intelligence by just upgrading their installed hardware and software.

A good example of such monsters is well-elaborated in the Frankenstein (1818) while the Faturama Tv show depicts robots as humanoid figures living alongside human beings (Russell, Norvig & Davis, 2014). Some smart missiles have been seen to have the ability to make their decisions autonomously presenting a vital but dangerous trend in which humans have the capacity to hand over crucial decisions to machines.

Conclusion

Robots have played a critical role in the continuous transformation of the modern society. These robots have resulted in vast changes in nearly all sectors of life. Some of the fields that have recorded tremendous changes include medicine or healthcare, businesses, automotive industry, environmental studies and space exploration. Nonetheless, scientists are still working tirelessly to come up with more robotic inventions that...