Computer Hysteria: "Androids Are Coming!"
       by Berry F. Phillips        June 2004

Will androids become the new Frankenstein monsters of the future, as portrayed in the movies such as 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Terminator, The Stepford Wives, Westworld and Futureworld?

An android is a robot with the shape and abilities of a human.  Humans have been developing tools for other humans throughout history.  Many industrial robots today can do specific tasks better and faster than humans.  If androids had the same capabilities as humans, they would be able to use those tools and improve the quality of life for humans.

The android-building business could well be the business of the future. There are currently many corporations and universities that are trying to build successful androids.  Eventually androids will be sold to the general public, but they should produce more jobs than they replace, similar to the computer industry.

Androids will be a unique product because they will be the first product that can build itself, which will lower the cost-per-unit because of lower labor costs.  Further, they will be able to diagnose their own systems’ failures.  Androids will be able to converse in many if not all languages.  They can be interfaced to the Internet and become rapidly super-intelligent. 

Currently, there are over a hundred groups working on android projects. Honda has developed Asimo.  Android World is working on Valerie.  The industry projects that 10% of USA homes will have an android within 12 years and 50% will within 20 years, based on a cost projection of about the same price as a small car.

Could androids take over the world?  In my opinion, the fear of androids--like that for computers--has been over-exaggerated by the entertainment industry.  For legal reasons, androids would have built-in software protection (Asimov's First Law) against harming humans.  It is extremely unlikely that androids could discover some unknown laws of physics that could be used against humans.

In the not to distant future, androids should relieve us from many of the mundane tasks of everyday life.  Their future should be bright in space exploration, as well as in performing tasks in space colonies.

Welcome to the "Brave New World"!  
 

Berry Phillips is a member of the OKCPCUG and a regular writer for the OKCPCUG website and the eMonitor