But is it too late?
Everyone feared the robot apocalypse, but everyone was wrong in one regard: they are not hostile. In fact, most robots nowadays are friendly. They are mostly helpful — but what if they got mischievous?
There are several places in the U.S. where someone has already taken this idea and implemented it into practice. They just need a little bit of Internet connectivity, but their goal is to reshape society for the better.
Here's a quick look at three different areas that have already had robots in it and are definitely better off for it.
1. 'Puppet Master' Society
In the 1950s, "The Dick Van Dyke Show" created a live action version of the '50s movie "The Black Hole," starring Bela Lugosi. The comedic scenario was a classic showing what might happen if a robot was made aware of the human race.
Scheduled to air on June 4, 1959, "The Black Hole" was never aired. But the finished film remained in circulation. In it, Dave, the husband of Marcia, a wife-turned-detective, looks at a newspaper and sees an advertisement for a robot called Robby, who will amuse anyone who desires a robotic sidekick. It is out of sight until it suddenly appears right next to Marcia.
The two soon discover a way to trade minuscule elements of information to each other via remote control. Robby, however, keeps sending messages to Dave asking for his wife.
What happens when the joke becomes real?
I would actually go so far as to say that humanity did have a taste of Robby's actions. Consider the truth in the Will Smith film "I, Robot," when an overly amorous robot is left in charge of a family and deems that it's his duty to rob the house, only to be discovered and turned over to the authorities.
2. Disney World Drones
Having robots around the Disney World property is already in effect, and it may soon go more mainstream as Disney even wants to add drones to its rides.
In a collaboration with the City of Orlando, Disney has teamed up with Blue River Technology to work on a pilot program using drones to monitor the development of wild horses in the Orlando area.
Additionally, Disney has been considering using the drones to collect data on the health of a rare group of endangered Sea Doo Duragrofisher dolphins. The possibility that some of the drones could be accidentally or intentionally dropped onto the dolphins is being discussed, as is how the drones might interfere with the dolphins' habitat.
3. Amazon Freight Forwarder
Amazon also has plans to bring automation to the small-time business. The idea is that businesses will pay a small fee to ship stuff through the Amazon infrastructure. The good thing is that Amazon won't even get involved in making the deliveries. Instead, Amazon Freight will be the intermediary, gathering orders, shipping and receiving, and all the logistics.
One of the world's largest shipping companies is also working with Amazon on the project: XPO Logistics.
In conclusion, I think it's high time that we consider automation for everything that is still lacking. Our lives will be so much better with a plethora of robots around, doing what they're supposed to do.