When you think of robots, you might picture giant mechanical arms on a factory assembly line, tirelessly welding car parts, or lifting heavy objects. That image isn’t wrong, but it’s increasingly incomplete. Robots are stepping off the factory floor and into some truly unexpected societal roles. This week’s Fun Fact Friday dives into the weird and wonderful world of robots with unusual jobs, exploring the expanding roles of automation in our lives and considering both the potential benefits and the humorous absurdity of it all.
From Mixologists to Mental Health:
Robots Taking on Service Roles
The service industry is one of the most visible areas where robots are making inroads. Forget your typical waiter or bartender; robots are now programmed to serve drinks, provide customer service, and even offer a listening ear (or microphone).
Meet Your New Robot Bartender:
Imagine strolling up to a bar and ordering a perfectly crafted martini from a robotic arm. This isn’t science fiction; it’s a reality at locations like the Tipsy Robot bar in Las Vegas, where robotic bartenders can mix and serve a wide variety of cocktails (Halvorson, 2018). These robotic mixologists are more than just novelty acts. They offer consistent pours, can work tirelessly without breaks, and some are even programmed with a database of jokes and conversation starters. While they might not replace the human touch of a skilled bartender who can lend a sympathetic ear, they certainly add a futuristic flair to a night out. A cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas, introduced a robot bartender that serves around 1000 drinks per day (Pratt, 2014).
Robots as Companions and Therapists:
The role of robots in our lives extends beyond just serving our needs; they’re also being developed to address our emotional and mental well-being. Take, for example, Paro, a therapeutic robot seal developed in Japan. Paro is designed to provide comfort and companionship to elderly patients, particularly those with dementia (Shibata & Wada, 2011). This cuddly robot responds to touch and sound, exhibiting behaviors that mimic a real seal pup. Studies have shown that interacting with Paro can reduce stress, improve mood, and even decrease the need for certain medications in elderly patients (Wada et al., 2008).
But Paro is not the only robot offering a form of therapy. Robots like Woebot, a chatbot therapist, use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques to help users manage anxiety and depression through text-based conversations (Fitzpatrick et al., 2017). While not intended to replace human therapists, these AI-powered companions can provide accessible and affordable mental health support, especially in areas with limited mental healthcare resources. These robots can also engage in physical therapy routines with patients, such as the study done with stroke patients and a humanoid robot named NAO (Pino et al., 2023).
Agriculture Gets Automated: Robots in the Fields
The agricultural industry is also embracing robotic solutions to address labor shortages and increase efficiency. Forget scarecrows; farmers are now deploying robots to perform a variety of tasks, from planting and harvesting to weeding and even herding livestock.
The Rise of the Robot Farmer:
Companies like Abundant Robotics have developed apple-picking robots that use computer vision to identify ripe fruit and gently pluck them from trees (Abundant Robotics, n.d.). Other robots, like those developed by Blue River Technology, use AI to identify and selectively spray weeds, reducing the need for broad-spectrum herbicides (Blue River Technology, n.d.). A robot named “TerraSentia” is able to take measurements of crops to identify which are growing best and which in the field need more attention (WBUR, 2023). These robots are meant to improve the efficiency of farmers in many tasks.
These robotic farmhands can work longer hours than humans, are less susceptible to fatigue or injury, and perform tasks more precisely. This boosts productivity and addresses the growing challenge of finding farm labor in many parts of the world.
The Challenges and Absurdities of Our Robotic Future
While the potential benefits of these unusual robot jobs are undeniable, there are also challenges and, let’s face it, some humorous aspects to consider.
The Job Displacement Debate:
One of the biggest concerns surrounding the increasing use of robots is job displacement. Will these robots take jobs away from human workers? The answer is complex and likely varies by industry. While some jobs may be automated, new roles will likely be created in areas like robot maintenance, programming, and oversight (Acemoglu & Restrepo, 2017). The key will be adapting to these changes through education and retraining programs.
The Uncanny Valley and Social Acceptance:
Another challenge is the “uncanny valley” effect, where robots that appear almost human but not quite can evoke feelings of unease or even revulsion (Mori et al., 2012). This could be a hurdle for robots, like robot companions or therapists, designed for close human interaction. Social acceptance of robots in these roles will likely depend on factors like their appearance, behavior, and the specific context of their use.
The Humor in it All:
And then there is the sheer absurdity of some of these robotic applications. A robot bartender might be efficient, but can it truly replace a real bartender’s banter and human connection? Can a robot truly understand the nuances of human emotion and offer genuine empathy?
These are questions that we, as a society, will need to grapple with as robots become more integrated into our lives. Perhaps the key is to embrace the humor and find ways to use these technologies to enhance, rather than replace, human connection and ingenuity. Another funny use of robots includes “Yakitori,” a robot meant to grill chicken skewers (SoraNews24, 2023).
Conclusion:
A Future Filled with Unexpected Robots
The world of robotics is rapidly evolving, and we can expect to see even more unusual and unexpected robot jobs emerge in the coming years. The possibilities seem endless, from robot chefs and artists to robot security guards and even robot funeral directors (yes, they exist!). As we navigate this robotic future, it is important to consider both the potential benefits and the challenges, to ensure that these technologies are used responsibly and ethically. Moreover, perhaps, most importantly, to maintain a sense of humor about the sometimes-absurd ways robots find their place in our world. After all, who knows what weird and wonderful jobs they will be doing next?
References
- Abundant Robotics. (n.d.). Abundant Robotics.
- Acemoglu, D., & Restrepo, P. (2017). Robots and jobs: Evidence from US labor markets. NBER Working Paper Series, No. 23285.
- Blue River Technology. (n.d.). Blue River Technology.
- Fitzpatrick, K. K., Darcy, A., & Vierhile, M. (2017). Delivering cognitive behavior therapy to young adults with symptoms of depression and anxiety using a fully automated conversational agent (Woebot): A randomized controlled trial. JMIR Mental Health, 4(2), e19.
- Halvorson, L. (2018, January 16). At the Tipsy Robot, the future of bartending is now. The Las Vegas Sun.
- Mori, M., MacDorman, K. F., & Kageki, N. (2012). The uncanny valley [from the field]. IEEE Robotics & Automation Magazine, 19(2), 98-100.
- Pino, M., L পদ্মनाभम, P., Al-Naser, B., Nambi, G., Pol, R., Salem, C., … & Ayed, L. B. (2023). Assessment of human–robot interaction in upper limb rehabilitation using a humanoid robot: A pilot study involving typically developed and post-stroke participants. Sensors, 23(7), 3386.
- Pratt, M. K. (2014, November 6). Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas has robot bartenders. Computerworld.
- Shibata, T., & Wada, K. (2011). Robot therapy: A new approach for mental healthcare of the elderly – A mini-review. Gerontology, 57(4), 378-386.
- SoraNews24. (2023, September 28). Robot cooks yakitori at new restaurant, and we’re there to try its grilled chicken.
- WBUR. (2023, August 2). Meet TerraSentia, the robot improving farming. wbur.
- Wada, K., Shibata, T., Saito, T., & Tanie, K. (2008). Effects of robot-assisted activity to elderly people who stay at a health service facility for the aged. Proceedings of the 2008 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, 2825-2830.
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