Synopses & Reviews
Are we really on the brink of having robots to mop our floors, do our dishes, mow our lawns, and clean our windows? And are researchers that close to creating robots that can think, feel, repair themselves, and even reproduce?
Rodney A. Brooks, director of the MIT Artificial Intelligence Laboratory believes we are. In this lucid and accessible book, Brooks vividly depicts the history of robots and explores the ever-changing relationships between humans and their technological brethren, speculating on the growing role that robots will play in our existence. Knowing the moral battle likely to ensue, he posits a clear philosophical argument as to why we should not fear that change. What results is a fascinating book that offers a deeper understanding of who we are and how we can control what we will become.
Synopsis
Flesh and Machines is a clear-sighted look into the technological future from the director of MIT's Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Rodney A. Brooks.
Brooks graphically depicts the history of robotic progress while he vividly speculates on a plausible, not-too-distant world in which robotic helpers will be able to think, feel, repair themselves, and even reproduce. But he doesn't stop there. Acknowledging the moral battle likely to ensue, he puts forth a lucid philosophical argument as to why we should not fear this change. The result is this fascinating book that offers a deeper understanding of who we are and how we can control what we will become.
Synopsis
From the director of the MIT Artificial Intelligence Laboratory--"a stimulating book written by one of the major players in the field--perhaps the major player.... Offers surprisingly deep glimpses into what it is to be human" (The New York Times Book Review).
Are we really on the brink of having robots to mop our floors, do our dishes, mow our lawns, and clean our windows? And are researchers that close to creating robots that can think, feel, repair themselves, and even reproduce?
Rodney A. Brooks believes we are. In this lucid and accessible book, Brooks vividly depicts the history of robots and explores the ever-changing relationships between humans and their technological brethren, speculating on the growing role that robots will play in our existence. Knowing the moral battle likely to ensue, he posits a clear philosophical argument as to why we should not fear that change. What results is a fascinating book that offers a deeper understanding of who we are and how we can control what we will become.
Synopsis
Includes bibliographical references and index.
About the Author
Rodney A. Brooks is Fujitsu Professor of Computer Science and Engineering at MIT and director of the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. He is also chairman and chief technological officer of iRobot Corporation. He is a founding fellow of the American Association for Artificial Intelligence (AAA) and a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). The author of several books and a contributor to many journals, he was one of the subjects of Errol Morriss 1997 documentary, Fast, Cheap, and Out of Control. Brooks was born in Australia and now lives in suburban Boston.
Table of Contents
Dances with machines -- The quest for an artificial creature -- Planetary ambassadors -- It's 2001 already -- Machines to live with -- Where am I? -- We are special -- We are not special -- Them and us -- Us as them.