Robots are taking over industries from security to health care and beyond. Scientists are even creating lookalike robots of famous personalities. In 2016, a person in China developed a lookalike of Scarlett Johansson. This may seem trivial compared to other useful technology being created, but building another person out of metal was something we had only seen in movies. It may seem far-fetched, but in the future we may have the power to “bring back” the deceased and create a functioning brain with the same features and attributes as a person.
Among other functions, here are some practical functions robots will be conducting in the near future:
Healthcare:
Robots will take the healthcare industry to the next level. “Medical robots” that can work in repetitive and monotonous functions might even obtain the capacity to completely replace humans. Statistics of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that, in the United States, 1 in every 25 patients will contract hospital acquired infections (HAIs) such as MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and C. diff (Clostridium difficile), and 1 in 9 will die. The Xenex robot allows for fast and effective systematic disinfection of any space within a healthcare facility. This helpful automatic tool destroys deadly microorganisms causing HAIs by utilizing special UV disinfection methodologies. Westchester Medical Center reported a 70 per cent drop in Intensive Care Unit C. diff with the use of Xenex robots.
During surgery, the da Vinci surgical system can assist the surgeon to operate with enhanced vision, precision, and control. Thus, it contributes greatly to a successful procedure. This robotic system features a magnified 3-D high-definition vision system and tiny wristed instruments that bend and rotate far greater than the human hand. With the da Vinci Surgical System, surgeons operate through just a few small incisions.
Security:
Robots can go into critical areas where humans can’t. Bomb diffusing robots have been in action for the past 40 years, and a lot of things have changed since then. Before, robots were controlled by using ropes, but now network communication is used. Robots can also tackle difficult terrain with the ability to climb ladders. They are also being designed with two arms, providing bomb disposal robots with greater manual dexterity, such as allowing them to open cars and look inside. Improvements in technology lead to safer situations in bomb disposal.
In Dubai, the government has planned 25 percent of its police force to be robotic by 2030. The robots will be used to report crimes, pay fines, and get information by tapping a touchscreen on its chest. The data collected by robots will also be shared with the transport and traffic authorities. These robots are meant to be people-friendly and also act as tourist attractions.
There’s also a crime-fighting robot manufactured by Knightscope. The crime-fighting robots come with GPS, lasers, and heat-detecting technology. They can function without any human control with heat detecting technology, surveillance cameras, sensors, odor detectors, and a thermal imaging system. The robots also have a scanner that can read vehicle registration numbers. These types of robots can provide 24-hour security with increased efficiency.
In the future, robots will play a huge role in shaping human culture, and we’ll be greatly intertwined with our trusty robot friends.