One of the robotics firm’s robots, known as the Spot Arm, has demonstrated that it is able to persist in the accomplishment of a programmed goal despite human interference. In layman’s terms? These robots can open a door even if you try to stop them — just watch.
WATCH VIDEO HERE
OK, this man in the demonstration video isn’t exactly going all out on the robot. However, what he is demonstrating is that the robot can continue to work on a task even while distracted or directly prevented from accomplishing it. Thanks to Futur3ology for posting this TikTok, showing us just how far robotics have come in working independently. Is it scary that a robot can potentially pursue a target through closed doors, with four legs that are likely faster than the average human can run? Absolutely. But, what if it could prove to be more effective in law enforcement or human rescue than even a human could be? It’s not a question that can be answered in a news article covering a TikTok video, but it’s one worth pondering after you close this tab. These are the questions that will be important to think critically about over the next several years. Here is what some viewers are most prominently saying in response. “Imagine one or three of these chasing you out of the Apple store because you didn’t pay your bill,” one commenter joked. “Skynet begins to learn at a geometric rate,” another commenter pointed out (we hope jokingly), paraphrasing quotes from the Terminator franchise. “It becomes self-aware at 2:14 a.m. Eastern time, August 29th.” Finally, another commenter replied, “How are they creepy if it’s a code that’s controlling them? They aren’t even AI.” Well, friendly TikTok viewer, we think you should consider who is writing the programs and to what end before you write this fear off entirely.
