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Living with Robots: What Every Anxious Human Needs to Know
The truth about two experts look beyond the hype, offering a lively and accessible guide to what robots can (and can't) do.There’s a lot of hype about robots; some of it is scary and some of it utopian. In this accessible book, two robotics experts reveal the truth about what robots can and can’t do, how they work, and what we can reasonably expect their future capabilities to be. It will not only make you think differently about the capabilities of robots; it will make you think differently about the capabilities of humans. Ruth Aylett and Patricia Vargas discuss the history of our fascination with robots—from chatbots and prosthetics to autonomous cars and robot swarms. They show us the ways in which robots outperform humans and the ways they fall woefully short of our superior talents. They explain how robots see, feel, hear, think, and learn; describe how robots can cooperate; and consider robots as pets, butlers, and companions. Finally, they look at robots that raise ethical and social killer robots, sexbots, and robots that might be gunning for your job. Living with Robots equips readers to look at robots concretely—as human-made artifacts rather than placeholders for our anxieties. Find •Why robots can swim and fly but find it difficult to walk •Which robot features are inspired by animals and insects•Why we develop feelings for robots •Which human abilities are hard for robots to emulate
- GenresNonfictionTechnology
312 pages, Hardcover
Published September 21, 2021
6 people are currently reading
80 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 28, 2021
Publishing date: September 21st, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley and MIT Press for an advanced electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
In an ever-changing technological world, there seems to be a big question on many minds: will robots one day take over? In this fact-filled book, the authors answer questions like, "Could robots learn to do things for themselves?" and "Could robots have feelings?" Backed by research, this book explains the answers to these questions and many more.
Though this book is dense, I found it interesting. I don't think I'm one of those people who is worried about robots taking over the world, but still, this book is reassuring. The facts and examples are interesting to follow, but the language is a bit dense, so this book is best taken in sections.
Thank you to NetGalley and MIT Press for an advanced electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
In an ever-changing technological world, there seems to be a big question on many minds: will robots one day take over? In this fact-filled book, the authors answer questions like, "Could robots learn to do things for themselves?" and "Could robots have feelings?" Backed by research, this book explains the answers to these questions and many more.
Though this book is dense, I found it interesting. I don't think I'm one of those people who is worried about robots taking over the world, but still, this book is reassuring. The facts and examples are interesting to follow, but the language is a bit dense, so this book is best taken in sections.
October 18, 2021
Thanks to an ARC from NetGalley about robots, I’m here to tell you about it. However, I’m not certain of the name. The title on the cover is Living with Robots but the title page calls it the Robots Are Coming. Are the robots really coming to get us?
Published by MIT Press, this book accomplishes what it sets out to do: address the fear that robots and/or skynet’s AI will take over the world and replace humanity. The book’s tone is neither patronizing nor placating but humanistic and educationally applicable to all. It references many sources from myths and history, industry and engineering, psychology and philosophy, to machine-human research and robots in the news.
The book is organized to be read straight through, but the chapters are so detailed and comprehensive, with the addition of an index it doubles as reference material for anyone’s library.
Beginning with a chapter entitled “Why are we so scared of robots,” the book immediately dives into relevant material. Us. Not robots. Thankfully the authors though robot experts, still have a bias in favor of us people. The authors also discuss ethics of killer robots and sex bots and bots that “want to take over your job.”
The book then progresses through material about artificial intelligence, and ends with chapters pertaining to emotions and robots’ suitability as companions.
I never realized until reading this that they are biased in favor of white American males. Robots are sexist!
The writing is lively, never forgetting the human part of the story. And yes, there are many very interesting stories. A lot of the stories I seen referenced on the internet, like a robot granted citizenship by Saudi Arabia.
One story that’s missing is the annoying robot Marty that tails customers in Stop & Shop. The first time I saw it, it had silently cornered me, and I let out a yelp of surprise when i whirled around and saw it. It’s supposed to be locating and announcing spillage on the floor. Yes, I am clumsy, but it seems unfair to profile me and unreasonable to stalk me. I’ve seen it stalking other customers, getting in the way, and having to be told by employees where to actually find spillage. I’ve had to wield my cart like a matadors cape to rescue other shoppers from it. Nobody likes you Marty, not the employees, not the customers—except maybe young children who have not yet been herded down the frozen foods isle or traumatized by your overly inquisitive googlie eyes.
I do recommend this book as a good read for all who are interested in mechanical innovation and inventions—especially older readers like me who like to hold a physical book. For younger whipper snappers, they know that innovation marches on and what’s touted as new and amazing today will soon become passé and boring tomorrow. They will read this all online or download an electronic copy.
Published by MIT Press, this book accomplishes what it sets out to do: address the fear that robots and/or skynet’s AI will take over the world and replace humanity. The book’s tone is neither patronizing nor placating but humanistic and educationally applicable to all. It references many sources from myths and history, industry and engineering, psychology and philosophy, to machine-human research and robots in the news.
The book is organized to be read straight through, but the chapters are so detailed and comprehensive, with the addition of an index it doubles as reference material for anyone’s library.
Beginning with a chapter entitled “Why are we so scared of robots,” the book immediately dives into relevant material. Us. Not robots. Thankfully the authors though robot experts, still have a bias in favor of us people. The authors also discuss ethics of killer robots and sex bots and bots that “want to take over your job.”
The book then progresses through material about artificial intelligence, and ends with chapters pertaining to emotions and robots’ suitability as companions.
I never realized until reading this that they are biased in favor of white American males. Robots are sexist!
The writing is lively, never forgetting the human part of the story. And yes, there are many very interesting stories. A lot of the stories I seen referenced on the internet, like a robot granted citizenship by Saudi Arabia.
One story that’s missing is the annoying robot Marty that tails customers in Stop & Shop. The first time I saw it, it had silently cornered me, and I let out a yelp of surprise when i whirled around and saw it. It’s supposed to be locating and announcing spillage on the floor. Yes, I am clumsy, but it seems unfair to profile me and unreasonable to stalk me. I’ve seen it stalking other customers, getting in the way, and having to be told by employees where to actually find spillage. I’ve had to wield my cart like a matadors cape to rescue other shoppers from it. Nobody likes you Marty, not the employees, not the customers—except maybe young children who have not yet been herded down the frozen foods isle or traumatized by your overly inquisitive googlie eyes.
I do recommend this book as a good read for all who are interested in mechanical innovation and inventions—especially older readers like me who like to hold a physical book. For younger whipper snappers, they know that innovation marches on and what’s touted as new and amazing today will soon become passé and boring tomorrow. They will read this all online or download an electronic copy.
March 20, 2021
As someone who has a fascination with robots and AI but no actual knowledge or science based background I was immediately drawn to the synopsis of this book but did have reservations as to of it would be too 'dry' for me as I have read quite a few books on this topic that just went straight over my head; in this case I needn't have worried. The book details the history of robots and our fascination with them as well as our fears of their intelligence (2001: A space Odyssey anyone??) and goes into detail in a way that is accessible and engaging. As well as going into the history of robots which was fascinating it also discusses the ethical implications and our responsibilities which added another layer of interest. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend.
May 26, 2024
It is a nice book to introduce oneself to the different aspects of robotics and demystify a lot of the media buzz about what robots are and what they can do to harm or help humans.
I have to admit that the title appears a bit misleading about its contents, as it is not a guide or a manual of how to live with robots, rather an introductory book in how different types of robots work and what to expect from them and what not. I have the impression that the reader should be a bit familiar with the domain a little bit to follow the book. Nevertheless it is an easy and intriguing read for those who want to get a better grasp of how robots generally work and what our expectations should be from them; now and in the future.
I have to admit that the title appears a bit misleading about its contents, as it is not a guide or a manual of how to live with robots, rather an introductory book in how different types of robots work and what to expect from them and what not. I have the impression that the reader should be a bit familiar with the domain a little bit to follow the book. Nevertheless it is an easy and intriguing read for those who want to get a better grasp of how robots generally work and what our expectations should be from them; now and in the future.
December 29, 2021
This is an excellent book outlining the history behind and the true capabilities of today's robots in language that is accessible to a layperson. Each chapter is dedicated to a single aspect of how robots function, from sensors to the prospects of AI to the ethics of designing robots that interact with human beings. The authors, experts in the field, do an amazing job of breaking down how these complicated topics truly work and breaking through media and commercial hype.
4/5 stars.
4/5 stars.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews