Robots: a Buzzword in Today's Technological News

Maybe the Styx really were onto something. Decades after the song "Mr. Roboto" changed the definition of bad dancing, robots are once again at the center of technological news. Recent headlines have outlined the increasing role robots may play in the future of North American life, from Microsoft software to national defense.

There are a few definitions of robots: yesterday Microsoft released the basic outline for a platform that would use system tools, including browsers, programming formats, and operating systems similar to those used for the artificial intelligence in robots.

Microsoft is seeking approval of a final draft of Microsoft Robotics Studio before the year is out. Despite the bad reputation of "bots" is largely because upon their role in spamware, Microsoft and certain websites, such as Robotstxt.org, are trying to change that. (Source: microsoft-watch.com)

And yet, news of real robots is a lot more exciting. According to the British Inquirer, Microsoft is also interested in the production and sale of actual robots, which it believes will be a staple technological market in five to ten years time. It is reported that the software already mentioned -- nearly ready for release -- is only the precursor to the real production of artificial intelligence, which Microsoft hopes to create with the likeness and personality of real people. (Source: theInquirer.net)

With that said, what are the drawbacks to a future full of C-3POs?

As expected, the United States Army is already in the process of using robots for military purposes. Recently General Charles Cartwright demanded that the robotics industry pay closer attention to the goal of putting "ground troops and robots together at the same time." Sources on the subject reveal that the US army intends on first using robotics in army gear by 2008, with autonomous tanks and weapons systems to follow in the years afterwards. Source: theRegister.co.uk)

Scary!