177553619

How robots will change our world Some fear that robots could do half our jobs and even wipe us out. But is that likely? Rather than hurt humans, robots could help us. Smart machines already make our cars and clean our homes. Soon they could drive us about, teach our children, and keep our parents company. While dealing with ethical concerns about robots, Bennie Mols and Nieske Vergunst present a brief guide to their past, present and future. They show how artificially-intelligent gadgets could allow the lame to walk again, rescue survivors from collapsed buildings, and boost the global fight against hunger and pollution. Welcome to a realistic and vivid view of our robot future. With 60 colour photos. Topics covered: From dolls to industrial workers, a history of robots How robots respond to their surroundings What robots learn about human speech Why self-driving cars are safer and greener The possibilities of robots in education Meet the 'cyborgs' who learn to walk again Why evolution designs the best robots Will rogue robots take over the world? Using robots as weapons and drones What the future holds: 2100, a Robot Odyssey