Japan Enacts Robotics Laws

Practical robotic servants (some of which look eerily lifelike) are becoming a reality – and Japanese industry is leading the way.

In preparation for this,  Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is formulating safety regulations for the next-generation robots. This set of rules is  a “beta” version of the first of Asimov‘s Laws of Robotics, first written down in the 1940 novel, I, Robot:

“A robot may not injure a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.”

Manufacturers will be required to install sensors so robots avoid collisions with people. Lighter, softer materials shall be given preference (for obvious reasons), as well as easily accessed emergency shut-off buttons.

The Japanese are understandably concerned about this problem. Industry is tooling up for increased robot manufacturing because of a predicted labor shortage in geriatric care in that country.

Via Technovelgy

Practical robotic servants (some of which look eerily lifelike) are becoming a reality – and Japanese industry is leading the way.

In preparation for this,  Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is formulating safety regulations for the next-generation robots. This set of rules is  a “beta” version of the first of Asimov‘s Laws of Robotics, first written down in the 1940 novel, I, Robot:

“A robot may not injure a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.”

Manufacturers will be required to install sensors so robots avoid collisions with people. Lighter, softer materials shall be given preference (for obvious reasons), as well as easily accessed emergency shut-off buttons.

The Japanese are understandably concerned about this problem. Industry is tooling up for increased robot manufacturing because of a predicted labor shortage in geriatric care in that country.

Via Technovelgy