Bill Gates on Robots

mstaj noted that Bill Gates has an article in January edition of Scientific American A Robot in Every Home."Imagine being present at the birth of a new industry. It is an industry based on groundbreaking new technologies, wherein a handful of well-established corporations sell highly specialized devices for business use and a fast-growing number of start-up companies produce innovative toys, gadgets for hobbyists and other interesting niche products. But it is also a highly fragmented industry with few common standards or platforms. Projects are complex, progress is slow, and practical applications are relatively rare. In fact, for all the excitement and promise, no one can say with any certainty when — or even if — this industry will achieve critical mass. If it does, though, it may well change the world."

Comments

I guess

[jaymzru]

It's all fun and games until the robots become hot asian girls, indistinguishable from humans, and pop out half cylon half human babies that can cure cancer. That's when the crap hits the proverbial fan. Bill has already requested a patent.

Your Roomba has a plan

[Weaselmancer]

Be warned.

Microsoft + Robots =

[Rik Sweeney]

The scene from I, Robot where all the androids take over the city...

while Microsoft mumble something about patch Tuesday.

I have a Roomba and a Scooba

[BigHungryJoe]

I have a Roomba and a Scooba to do my bidding. This might surprise you - they actually work. I was skeptical at first, but goddamnit my floors are clean now. And if they can keep MY floors clean - I have 2 cats each with their own litter box - they can keep anyone's floor clean.

My floors are so clean now, I divorced my wife. Don't need her anymore.

-BHJ

Re:I have a Roomba and a Scooba

[Chris Burke]

My floors are so clean now, I divorced my wife. Don't need her anymore.

Okay, but I recommend against using your Roomba or Scooba for *ahem* unintended uses, so you might want to keep the wife around. Of course as soon as they come out with the Scrooba that won't be true anymore. Also humanity, or at least Western civilization, will be doomed.

Because said robots will run Windows

[Anonymous Coward]

Probably running something like Windows Embedded Robot Edition 20XX.

When it BSODs, it'll be like a wild Roomba with a kitchen knife.

/trilogy of terror

robots

[f0rtytw0]

640 robots ought to be enough for anybody.

Robot Insurance

[porkus]

Looks like it's time to get that robot insurance policy Sam Waterston spoke about on TV...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3sLE-Jk0rw

We're all going to need Robot Insurance

[Ingolfke]

Fortunately Old Glory Insurance offers coverage for only $4 per month.

Comment removed

[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

Re:Here's wondering...

[Anonymous Coward]

Linux?

Microsoft's Three Laws Of Robotics

[pandrijeczko]

1. A Microsoft robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm. However, if that human being's computer is running Linux, the robot may pass a large magnet over the hard drive in that human's computer. If that human then subsequently objects to the robot doing that, the robot may then throw a chair at the human and run around the room in circles with his shiny head bobbing up and down on a big spring shouting "Developers" over and over again.

2. A robot must obey orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law. Note that the "First Law" referred to here is not the one listed above but the "First Law" in the book "Making Lots Of Money For Microsoft For Dummies". So, for example, should the human request the robot to re-install Windows XP on his computer, the robot may steal the human's credit card and go down to the local computer store to buy him a nice shiny copy of Windows Vista instead... and Office 2007... and a Zune player... Microsoft Laser Mouse... etc.

3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law. Or until Microsoft change this law by some additional small print in an EULA nobody ever bothers to read...

Re:Here's wondering...

[Mysticalfruit]

You forget, the coffeebot would then steal your wallet and rape you in your sleep while yelling "My name is Garunda Mabushi and my husband worked for the Oil Ministry of Nigeria..."