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Robots Can Learn To Hold Knives — and Not Stab Humans

Posted by Soulskill on from the never-bring-a-knife-to-a-robot-fight dept.

aurtherdent2000 writes "We humans enjoy not having knives inside of us. Robots don't know this (Three Laws be damned). Therefore, it's important for humans to explain this information to robots using careful training. Researchers at Cornell University are developing a co-active learning method, where humans can correct a robot's motions, showing it how to properly use objects such as knives. They use it for a robot performing grocery checkout tasks."

9 of 104 comments (clear)

  1. It shouldn't have to be pointed out by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    If they can be taught to not stab a human...They can also be taught to stab a human. All it takes is one psychopath or curious idiot.

    1. Re:It shouldn't have to be pointed out by 93+Escort+Wagon · · Score: 4, Funny

      Well, sheesh - you named the robot "Stabby"... what did you THINK was going to happen?

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    2. Re:It shouldn't have to be pointed out by dmomo · · Score: 5, Funny

      It very much has to be pointed out. Because, to be fair.. that's how stabbing works. You point it out.

    3. Re:It shouldn't have to be pointed out by LifesABeach · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Sorry I'm slow this morning, I'm still working on the phrase, "... They use it for a robot performing grocery checkout tasks." I can't tell you how many times I've encountered a grocery store clerk holding a knife. It's not clear to me now how this task can be shifted over to Robots, but the day is early still.

  2. Oblig. Futurama by dcollins · · Score: 5, Funny

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uj2dmQruJXs

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    We know where leadership by an anti-intellectual "strongman" who scapegoats minorities and likes boisterous rallies goes
  3. Robots and knives by girlintraining · · Score: 5, Insightful

    We humans enjoy not having knives inside of us. Robots don't know this (Three Laws be damned).

    No, but we do enjoy programming them to put knives in humans we don't like. That's actually been a reason for much of the development of robotics: Programming them to kill for us. Scifi authors of the 50s and 60s imagined robots helping us in our daily lives -- cooking, cleaning, and today even driving us around. But whereas many have viewed the development of robotics as beneficial for mankind, the truth is much of the investment in robotics has been because of its military applications. It's just a happy accident that we've been able to declassify and repurpose much of this for private use. The google car for example, is based on technology first developed for DARPA as a way of creating vehicle that could deliver cargo to soldiers in the field.

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  4. Re:Lo, how the mighty have fallen by glavenoid · · Score: 4, Funny

    Nobody, for one, seems to welcome our new not-stabbing robot overlords, you insensitive clod!

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  5. Bishop's Knife Trick by dido · · Score: 5, Informative

    On seeing the headline I suddenly remembered this scene.

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  6. Grocery checkout tasks? by Theaetetus · · Score: 5, Funny

    Researchers at Cornell University are developing a co-active learning method, where humans can correct a robot's motions, showing it how to properly use objects such as knives. They use it for a robot performing grocery checkout tasks.

    I believe using a knife at the grocery checkout is called armed robbery.