EmmaDegerstedtweek2blog:robotics

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As we delve into this weeks topics on robots, I could not help but think about my own experience with my own "robot."  There is a technology called an "air wheel" that I use during my show. 

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This small one-wheeled machine has two feet placers which are sensors that respond to the person's weight distribution. Imagine a segway without the handles. The machines average speed is fifteen miles per hour. I'm confident the makers of the air wheel did not imagine that people would be using them in large theatrical productions, let alone singing and acting on them.  This is a perfect example of the robotic industry and artistic industry creating a symbiotic relationship.  

below is a video of one of my first rehearsals trying the airwheel in costume. (Excuse the "wicked witch" sound test that was going on during the filming of this video)

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As art and robotics continue to influence one another, I believe we need to take a close look at the future and be aware of the road we may be heading down.  In Blade Runner we see a society where "replicants" or cyborgs have been created and subsequently society has become exceedingly dystopian. (4) I was recently reading an article about Apple factories in China becoming entirely robot driven.  (5) This is a small step toward a dangerous future, and is a fascinating juxtaposition between a company that prides itself on creating artistic machinery for people, while simultaneously taking thousands of jobs away from those people and replacing them with machinery.  As we continue down this road and develop robots that can operate at the same capacity of humans, we see immediate benefits, like being able to spend more time and energy on our art, but forget about the long term repercussions.  Rodney Brooks' TED talk in 2003, was a very perceptive look at where society is today in its attitude toward Robots.  (6) At the end of Brooks' TED talk he asks two interesting questions, "Will [robots] need rights?" and "Will they take over?"  These questions have been explored and asked time and again in novels like "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep," and movies like "Blade Runner."  

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Robots have endless potential to help our society and influence great art.  We can use "robots" in theatrical productions, they can influence us to make great films like "Blade Runner," and they can build wonderful artistic devices like macbook pros, cameras, and digital designing software.  However, as these robots continue to impede on our every day lives, whether for good or bad, we need to remember that art comes from people and although robots can help influence us in many great ways we need to be aware of where they are potentially taking us.  Stephen Hawking states the juxtaposition of robots influence on society in one succinct thought, "Success in creating AI would be the biggest event in human history. (8)  Unfortunately, it might also be the last" (Hawking).

References

(1) "cityscapes artistic robots mech artwork claws engineers kabihuton 1400x1050 wallpaper Tools robots HD Art HD Wallpaper." cityscapes artistic robots mech artwork claws engineers kabihuton 1400x1050 wallpaper High Quality Wallpapers,High Definition Wallpapers. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 July 2014. <http://www.miscellaneoushi.com/Tools/robots/cityscapes_artistic_robots_mech_artwork_claws_engineers_kabihuton_1400x1050_wallpaper_37095>.

(2) "Airwheel X3 Electric Self Balancing Electric Unicycle." AirebikeAirwheel Electric Unicycle. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 July 2014. <http://www.airebike.com/airwheel-x3/>.

(3) Degerstedt, Emma. Personal video. May 14th, 2014.

(4) "Blade Runner." IMDb. IMDb.com, n.d. Web. 8 July 2014. <http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083658/>.

(5) Mick, Jason. "DailyTech - Foxconn Billionaire Hints at Robotic Apple Factory, Criticizes Dead Employees." DailyTech - Foxconn Billionaire Hints at Robotic Apple Factory, Criticizes Dead Employees. N.p., 30 June 2014. Web. 12 July 2014. <http://www.dailytech.com/Foxconn+Billionaire+Hints+at+Robotic+Apple+Factory+Criticizes+Dead+Employees/article36144.htm>.

(6) "Robots will invade our lives." Rodney Brooks:. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 July 2014. <http://www.ted.com/talks/rodney_brooks_on_robots#t-1099125>.

(7) "Blade Runner: The Theatrical Version." The Ferguson Theater. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 July 2014. <http://derricklferguson.wordpress.com/2011/03/21/blade-runner-the-theatrical-version/>.

(8) Kolodny, Carina. "Stephen Hawking Is Terrified Of Artificial Intelligence." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 5 May 2014. Web. 12 July 2014. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/05/stephen-hawking-artificial-intelligence_n_5267481.html>.