Send Robots Into Space, Quick, Before They Turn on Us

OK, then… let’s just see what we can do to put a positive, uplifting and upbeat spin on this:

"The authors also identified scenarios in which a robot might physically harm its owner or the home environment. While the risks today are relatively small, researchers say they believe the risks will become more serious as robots become more widespread."

Yikes.

Well, to be fair, the recent ScienceDaily article in question does not expressly warn of hordes of robots sentiently overriding their programs, intent to do evil. The recent piece, however, does note that the increasingly common phenomenon of household robotics — used for cleaning our floors, for security monitoring, for sheer pointless amusement — brings a variety of risks, mostly of the electronic variety.

ScienceDaily cites a University of Washington study that catalogs data and personal information vulnerabilities as these robotic technologies often operate via wireless connection, creating an open electronic door through which unwanted visitors may enter our lives.

And, on top of that, as we have previously reported, some of them have developed a taste for meat. Just sayin'.

So perhaps some German scientists are on to something by planning to exile them to the reaches of outer space. As reported by The Guardian, designs are nearing completion for a fleet of robots that will be sent on a mission to rescue and repair failing satellites. Those that are deemed beyond repair, the robots will shove farther away from earth, clearing up valuable and useful geostationary orbit space for newer, functioning satellites.

Photo courtesy of Upright Animal, via Wikimedia Commons