Robots are not a recent technology created in the last couple of years, they’ve been around since the 1960’s However, it has been transformed throughout decades. There are more moving parts, more artificial intelligence, and tasks to complete that are more relevant to our time period. According to LEO, The Center for Service Robots, “A robot is an actuated mechanism programmable in two or more axes with a degree of autonomy, moving within its environment, to perform intended tasks. Autonomy in this context means the ability to perform intended tasks based on current state and sensing, without human intervention.” The definition isn’t exactly accurate due to certain exceptions and grey areas but it is a good place to start whenever defining what a robot is. We have a large reliance on technology today from using Alexa to having an automatic vacuum cleaner constantly vacuuming the floor. Bridle (2018) has written about the recent technologies and mentioned that if we don’t have knowledge about the technologies that we are using then there’s no way to avoid the danger that comes along with them.
Home Invasion
We don’t really think of ourselves to own robots. When we think of robots, we think of the machines that are built similarly to people and have the artificial intelligence to take over the world. However, these robots aren’t usually shaped like people, and most likely will not take over the world, but it is possible these robots are listening to what we are doing and in turn influencing our everyday decisions based on what they are hearing. You don’t have to own an Alexa from Amazon in order for a robot to be listening to you at all times. If you own a phone or even a smart TV, these systems are listening to you at all times. Steven J Vaughan-Nicholas talks about how smart TV’s are listening in on your conversations and how to keep them from doing so.
“Alexa, Are You Listening?”
Security Now! is a weekly podcast hosted by Steve Gibson and Leo Laporte. They discuss the dangers behind Amazon Echo and how much the device actively listens to you. Alexa will do speech to text conversions in order to understand what you are doing or the things you like while you are having a conversation with someone. The New devices even have a camera in order to take pictures of you and give you fashion advice. Although this may be the true intention of the camera feature, we all know that it does a lot more than give someone fashion advice. Of course, there are the concerns of invasion of privacy. constantly being watched and spied on is not really a comfortable feeling . It was noted that the device was able to notice that a woman was pregnant and began to send her coupons for baby-related items.
Sources
Draven, Halie, and Robert's Blog 