Open Source Self-Replicating Robot

Josilot writes "CNN.Com is running an article about a new self-replicating robot named RepRap. From the article: 'A revolutionary machine that can copy itself and manufacture everyday objects quickly and cheaply could transform industry in the developing world, according to its creator.' One part of the article that I think many slashdot readers will find interesting is near the bottom: 'To encourage that development, Bowyer plans to make the design of the RepRap available online and free to use, in the same way as open source software such as the Linux operating system or Mozilla's Firefox browser.' Is robotics the next big field for open source?"

Comments

This is the last thing the developing world needs

[greenguy]

Does this provide more jobs? No. The machines do the work.

Does this raise wages? No. See above answer.

Does this increase skill levels? No. See above answer.

Does this level the playing field of international commerce? No.

Does this make use of locally-available materials? No.

Does this make anything useful? Not so far, and if it did, it would result in a net reduction of jobs.

This project (or at least this claim for it) seems to be making the same mistake that people in agriculture in the so-called developed world make, which is to think that what people in impoverished nations need is cheaper goods. This is not the case. What they need is goods produced in their own nation, made from local materials by locally-owned companies, so that the money they spend cycles back into their own economy. The poor need cheaper goods, relative to their salaries... but it's far more useful to raise their salaries than to make the goods cheaper.