Rensselaer Alumni Magazine - Spring 2012 - (Page 4) PRESIDENT’S VIEW | SHIRLEY ANN JACKSON, PH.D. Rethinking Robotics A ciency of highway systems. Cars at leadership. already are warning people about Success will come potential dangers, and Google to those who go recently patented a driverless car. beyond providing But, as anyone who has been misfunction to those directed by their car’s GPS system who work at the knows, we have work to do on relinexus of science, ability and acceptability before we technology, and can realize the envisioned benefits psychology to bring of robotic cars. the benefits of We also can foresee applications robotics into our that promise to improve security everyday lives. The through better surveillance and first generation of handling of threats (such as bombs robots provided The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology has announced its Initiative on Advanced Manufacturing, and robotics is an area of focus. and toxic chemicals). All security efficiencies and is, necessarily, a complex process did hard and dirty that balances freedom, privacy, and work, but these devices had limitconvenience against potential daned flexibility, could work only in ger. The social aspects of improvdefined workspaces, and, often, ing safety are critical to adoption of The next generation of robots will require investment were too dangerous to work sideany such technology. by-side with humans. The next and collaboration Finally, robots are likely to be generation of robots—currently integrated more fully into industrial in development—will be adapted processes, adding new capabilities more easily to changing requirethings up. But having discussions and providing help with logistics few months ago, President ments, be able to complete a wide with business people can bring a (such as automated delivery of Barack Obama announced range of tasks in undefined workdifferent set of misunderstandings. parts). Here, there is the potential an Initiative on Advanced spaces, be safer for the humans Many remember a few decades to adapt quickly to changes in Manufacturing. This initiative is they will be working with (or nearago when robotics research in the products, in production processan outgrowth of recommendations by), and be more user-friendly. United States provided great promes, and use of space. The ability of a report released by the PresiEarly, broad application is likeise of a domestic industry. They to add or subtract workers on a dent’s Council of Advisors on ly to be in areas where society is saw the innovations from U.S. production line where direct colScience and Technology (PCAST), facing difficult (and often costly) labs find their ways into overseas laboration with robots is enabled based on a PCAST study led by challenges. In health care, robots factories and watched as the opporwill allow manufacturers to lower Eric Schmidt of Google and myself. can augment the mobility of an tunities and the jobs went to costs and respond more rapidly to The President’s Advanced aging population and provide other countries. changes in the market. But this Manufacturing Initiative has pointmuscle power to those who have Thanks to miniaturizameans that workers will ed toward areas that are rich in tion, advanced sensors and need to be comfortable possibilities for creating jobs and Success will come to those who go beyond actuators, algorithms that sharing space with robots. building prosperity. Novel materiproviding function to those who work at the allow more subtle moveWorkers will need to help als, nanotechnology, and smart nexus of science, technology, and psychology ment, and wireless netthe robots to learn and environments are new enough that to bring the benefits of robotics into our working, a new wave of adapt. To get full value, the they often need to be explained. everyday lives. robots is on the way. New human-robot interrelationBut one area, robotics, is already opportunities are available ships will need to go beyond part of our culture. In some ways, thanks to improvements in complex programming by allowthat makes the discussion easier become frail. Robots already are cost/performance of key compoing more natural communications. because we have a common startbeing used to assist in physical thernents, “learning,” mobility, and The next generation of robots ing point. But it also can lead to apy and to help people get out of improved safety design. These will enter a domain that reaches confusion with lay audiences, who bed. A key design point is encourhave created the potential for more directly into our lives, but it imagine the articulate humanoids aging trust, and that requires a betwidespread, intensive use of a also will be more complex. Creatof science fiction. ter understanding of how robots new generation of robots that ing this new industry will require In most cases, examples—auto can gain the confidence of people. can serve, protect, and support. investment, patience, and effecfactory robots, robots that support In transportation, robot-assisted With new kinds of robots on the tive collaboration across a variety surgeons, and even robots that driving has the potential to reduce horizon, there is a second chance of disciplines. vacuum your house—help to clear accidents and improve the effiOFFICIAL WHITE HOUSE PHOTO [ ] SCOTT BARROW 4 RENSSELAER/SPRING 2012 Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Rensselaer Alumni Magazine - Spring 2012 Rensselaer Alumni Magazine - Spring 2012 Contents President’s View Mail At Rensselaer Research Roundup Milestones Got Game? One Giant Step for Computing Major League Staying Connected Class Notes One Last Thing Rensselaer Alumni Magazine - Spring 2012 http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/rpi/2017spring http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/rpi/2016fall http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/rpi/2016spring http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/rpi/2015fall http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/rpi/2015spring http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/rpi/2015winter http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/rpi/2014fall http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/rpi/2014spring http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/rpi/2014winter http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/rpi/2013fall http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/rpi/2013spring http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/rpi/2013winter http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/rpi/2012fall http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/rpi/2012spring http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/rpi/2012winter http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/rpi/2011fall http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/rpi/2011spring http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/rpi/2011winter http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/rpi/2010summer http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/rpi/2010spring http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/rpi/200909 http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/rpi/2010winter http://www.nxtbookMEDIA.com
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