Robots Nao and Pepper on display at Parramatta Library
An expert says that humans should not feel threatened by an I, Robot-style takeover of the world, ahead of a robots demonstration in western Sydney.
Will we ever live in a world where terminators, transformers, robocops and other artificial intelligence rule over humans?
It’s highly unlikely, according to a Western Sydney University robots expert.
“These same sort of fears came out when he had desktop computers, and other forms of technology for the first time,” Dr Omar Mubin, who completed his PhD doctorate qualification in human robot interaction in 2011, said.
“The science-fiction portrayals of robots in movies are quite far-fetched.
“One of my research areas is how sci-fi influences technology, particularly in Japan. But we can’t undermine the value of science fiction, because we’d just be inhibiting creativity. We can use this and reflect on it.”
He said robots still had their limitations, particularly in relation to social skills.
“You can’t really build emotional recognition and situational awareness into robots. The adaptive behaviour is very much a challenge for robots,” Dr Mubin said.
His comments come ahead of a Western Sydney University MARCS Institute demonstration into the science behind robotics technology, as part of Parramatta Council’s 2019 Sydney Science Festival program.
On display will be Pepper and Nao, humanoid robots from Softbank Robotics.
Nao is a smaller robot (53cm) designed for one-on-one interaction in domestic settings, while Pepper is taller (120cm) and has a tablet on its chest designed for public and business use.
“Pepper is used in public spaces where it can try to influence decision-making,” Dr Mubin said.
“For example, if Pepper is at a supermarket, can it persuade the human to buy a healthy food, and how it compares against a human’s way of selling it?”
The ‘Shake Hands with Robots Pepper & Nao’ (8+ years) demonstration will be at Parramatta Library on Saturday, August 17. Tickets cost $3. The afternoon session has been sold out, but there is now an extra morning show.
It will be among other historical, cultural and medical events being showcased across Parramatta over the next fortnight.
More info at the council’s website.
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