Report: Robots harmful to humans

The inexorable rise of a robot-driven lifestyle may end up having 'dangerous' consequences for humans, German scientists say in a recent study.

The Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics at the German aerospace agency recently conducted a series of tests, which involved robots using sharp tools alongside humans, in order to see if a prototype safety system could limit the damage done.

In the tests, a robotic arm holding an assortment of household tools such as a steak knife, kitchen knife, scissors and screwdriver was programmed to strike, stab and puncture test substances that mimic soft tissue.

With the safety system turned off, the scientists found that the robot, which weighed 14kg and had a 1.1m reach, inadvertently inflicted wounds that would prove to be "lethal" if inflicted on a living subject.

The scientists said their findings into the slashing injuries robots could cause were of utmost importance given the prospect of robots becoming domestic helpers in the near future.

Other studies had previously looked into the dangers of heavy robots bumping into people.

The research was presented to the 2010 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, which was held in Alaska in early May.

Robots are used in military, domestic, medical and even security applications in developed countries, particularly in Japan.

Honda's ASIMO (Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility) is widely considered to be the most advanced humanoid robot ever built with unique abilities to run, climb stairs and recognize faces.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=125788§ionid=3510208.