Long has Humanity worried about the overcrowding of our world, but only recently have we been met with the challenge of managing an increasingly aging population. The above video, is Japan's response to senior-assistance.
Toyota, the creator of the violinist robot above, is one of the most involved in researching robotics. Honda, with their prized creation "Asimo", have actively been refining a humanoid robot designed to provide a variety of services to human beings including but not limited to cleaning, waitering, and, interestingly, conducting an orchestra.
Asimo currently weighs about 114 lbs, stands at 4 feet and 3 inches, and can run at speeds as high as 4.3 mph. His battery allows him almost an hour of continuous operation (walking), and he is equipped with facial and object recognition technology. He can also be linked to the Internet or a local network to provide such services as guest greetings and recognition, daily news, and weather information.
In an age where Robots can perform more and more complex tasks usually delegated to human beings, what will be our role in society? The target demographic for such a product is currently seniors, but how long until the rest of the Human population is rendered a mere spectator to the daily dynamics of our society?
The two above robots are no doubt only the first of a whole orchestra of mechanized artists who will grace our symphony halls. They will no doubt deliver even the most complex symphonies flawlessly, a feat not even the most seasoned human musicians can lay claim to. Human genius allied to mechanical perfection will allow us for the first time to witness music the way the composer meant for it to be heard. Unless, that is, that Art is meant to be imperfect, and that the composer meant on some level for the musicians to inject their own style into the melody.
Such are the questions that will need to be discussed, debated, and answered within the next few decades.
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