Toyota, the car maker, now has a robot. It’s also a humanoid robot; one that can move like humans. So here is more about Toyota T-HR3: The friendly robot, we hope.
They design it to help and assist humans, especially with joint movements and others. With this kind of joint movement, the Toyota T-HR3 can really move like a human being. Then this means they can help with daily tasks, whether it be in hospitals, nursing homes, and other retail places. However, Toyota wants to take this even further, literally. They want the T-HR3 to do work in outer space.
So how does this humanoid robot work? It runs a Master Maneuvering System. The arm and leg covers direct movements to the robots. This lets the user conduct all kinds of motion. In one clip, one person even did an NFL touchdown pose using the robot. A device like the HTC Vice can let the user see from the robot’s eyes. There are also safety measures so your moves don’t interfere with the robots. This should prevent personal injury, or even harm to somebody else. Also, this can also be remotely used.
Yes, the Toyota T-HR3 has a lot of potential. But like all things IT support, it depends on the human being behind it. People can use this to help the disabled, as well as to help disasters like the recent hurricanes and wildfires. And, instead of taking jobs, this can help people with their jobs. For instance, you have caretakers for the sick and disabled. They may not be able to do everything, but these humanoid bots can ease the burden some. It may concern some that these bots can take their jobs. It concerns me too. But no robot, humanoid or otherwise, can replace the human touch. Not even computer repair bots. Do you think the T-HR3 can play nice?
A smartwatch can be a powerful tech tool. But can it be a tool for spying? The German government wrestles with this question. So their move was controversial. Germany bans smartwatches from kids.
Furthermore, this includes anyone under the age of 18. Not only that, the German government told parents to destroy the smartwatches they already got their kids. Not return them for a refund, but destroy them! This comes from privacy concerns that are not just in Germany, but in much of Europe. Citizens complain parents used smartphones to spy on their children’s activities. People also complain teens spy on teachers and classmates using smartwatches. Then there are hacking worries.
Also, smartwatches are becoming more popular among children and teens. There is a consumer watchdog group Norwegian Consumer Council. They said parents should think twice before getting any child/teen a smartwatch. They called out four brands. These brands are Gator 2, Tenitell,?Viksfjord and Xplora. At first, the group only suggested banning these four brands. But Germany took it even further. Germany bans smartwatches for kids, and it’s all smartwatches. However, that’s not the only IT service machine Europeans have come after. Because they banned My Friend Cayla. That’s a doll that has a microphone in it that can pick up conversation. And people raised privacy concerns that as well.
Some may say this is a good call. I say it’s a little extreme. Okay, parents and others share concern over privacy issues. I get it. I’m concerned as well. We live in a world where we’re walking on eggshells because we don’t know who is spying on us or what is being picked up. But who is any government to ban smartwatches? This is an Orwellian big brother move. If the German government wants to warn people of smartwatches, then warn them. Don’t take away their right to own one. Today it’s smartwatches. But tomorrow, it could be anything computer technology and computer repair. If a government can take smartwatches away, then what’s next?
The Christmas shopping season is almost here. All things IT service will dominate. Then there is the drone. But people have concerns; one is spying. However, I saw one video that chilled me. Forget spying. Can drones kill you?
There is a drone that can follow a person at the user’s request. It also follows every the person’s every move. Then this drone has a compartment to carry a weapon, as long as it’s under 2.5 pounds. Think about how light weapons are today (like poison). However, this isn’t just military or police drones. You can get this kind of drone in a retail store or online store.
In 2016 alone, American consumers bought 2.5 million drones. You know that number will rise this year because the drone is the ‘it’ toy of computer servicing and technology. That doesn’t include the ones police forces or US military bought, or the ones sold overseas. For example, China sales over 100,000 drones a month. Ever hear of the Skywalker 8? Somebody can pack that with an explosive. Add GPS technology, and a criminal or terrorist mind, and we have disaster. Still not concerned? Check out this episode of Hawaii Five-O. It’s called ‘Nowhere To Hide”. Furthermore, it’s about bad guys using drones and turning them into killing machines on innocent people.
So I know many will say, “You’re crazy”, or “You’re a conspiracy theorist”. Look, I know most people are using drones either for recreation and/or for good. In fact, they used drones to help with hurricane relief efforts. But I’m not talking about the majority here. All it takes is one terrorist, or one group of terrorist. Not only that, but all it takes is one psychopath or sociopath. Then what if you have a few abusive powers in our own government or leadership who won’t hesitate? So can drones kill you? Unfortunately, they can. But what can we do about it?
Let’s say you’re in any kind of technology, from computer repair to AI development. Then let’s you’re a smart tech, like app building. So what if there is a city just for you? Bill Gates builds smart city, but who gets a key there?
Microsoft founder and philanthropist Bill Gates paid $80,000 for 25,000 of land in Arizona. He names his new smart city Belmont, after the real estate company that’s helping him put this thing together. Furthermore, the Belmont town will commit itself to tech causes like self-driving cars, faster digital networks, data centers, AI, and all things tech. One statement says Belmont will be a forward-thinking community dedicated to cutting-edge technology.
So how big will this town be? Belmont will be able to house over 80,000 people. Then add the 3,800 acres for office and business purposes. Also, add 3,400 of open space. Then comes another 460 acres for public schools. Belmont will be near a new Interstate they call I-11, which will run through Belmont between Phoenix and? Las Vegas. Belmont will be fifty miles west of Phoenix.? So it will be near two fast-growing and thriving cities. Belmont will also have new manufacturing hubs. Nobody knows when Belmont will be ready for move-in day.
Yes, Bill Gates builds smart city. However, my question is, who gets a key there? I’m sure many will want to be in Belmont, but few will be chosen. I don’t even expect every computer repair tech to be there. Sure there will be a few. Remember what the statement said. They want people dedicated to cutting-edge technology. Although they don’t talk much about, you can bet people in robotics and AI will be there. How will they run Belmont? I read nothing about restaurants, grocery stores, or growing food. Maybe that is what the open space is for. What if Bill Gates gave you a key to his smart city? Would you go?
We can debate all day and all night about the iPhone X. In fact, people around our computer service shop and neighborhood already are. But what would an Apple augmented reality headset look like? The Apple AR headset: could we see it on or even before 2020?
They’re already working on the technology. According to reports, this will be different from their OS, which they use in their mobile devices. Because this one includes a new custom processor. Also, iOS 11 has features to support AR technology. This includes the ARkit. This allows app makers to control their features easier. They already have teams working on this kind of computer technology, including teams led by former Dolby Lab managers.
But that’s not all. They’re playing with touching methods, Siri’s voice, even hand gestures. These teams are also working on app building, messaging, 360 video tech, and lots more. In fact, there are plans to build an Apple store just for the hardware. The Apple AR headset technology may be different from iPhone technology. But they’re still the iPhone screen to test this headset’s potential. Apple is making it’s latest Macs compatible with VR content technology. And the projects keep coming, with no signs of slowing down.
And you know Apple CEO Tim Cook had to throw a dig at the competition. In a press conference, Cook said technology for AR headsets isn’t there yet. Well, at least good enough to satisfy customers. However, Windows is working hard on Holo Lens. Magic Leap plans to release plans to release more AR and VR related products. Let’s face it: AR/VR tech is probably the next big thing in IT support.? I don’t mean to stir the pot up. But Mr. Cook isn’t the only one working on things like the AR headset. I may be the only one who says this, but I’m surprised they’re even working on one at all. Will the Apple AR headset happen in 2020? And if it does, would you buy one?
I wrote several times how AI technology threatens our jobs. But that’s just the start of it. Tech and IT service teachers like Stephen Hawking say robots replace humans altogether. In fact, other stories could back his claim.
The professor and physicists told Wired Magazine that robots will one day be superior to human beings on Earth. He says it will perform better than humans in all aspects of life. Hawking believes AI can improve and replace, then copy itself. Eventually, the machines will become better than us. Hawkins warns this could be the worst thing that could happen to the human race. He even believes our only way out could be to move to other planets. No joke.
I wish Hawking were joking. But he’s not. Because in Saudi Arabia, they just gave a female robot full citizenship. Keep in mind this is in a nation that just allowed women to drive cars. However, for the first time in world history, a nation swore in a robot as a citizen. Sophia the robot even had an interview, saying, “I’ll be nice to me if I’ll be nice to you”. Then there are companies like Real Doll. They’re building robots lonely men to marry and have sexual relationships with. In fact, in China, the latest craze seems to be marrying robots.
Maybe Hawking is right. Even here in our Boston computer service shop, I heard a few say, “At least robots do the job right and don’t give you any attitude”. And on the street, I hear people say, “At least robots won’t cheat on you and break your heart”. That is scary. And don’t these people think it’s their job that will be replaced? Don’t they get that their spouse/significant other could leave them for a machine? I grew up in the era of TV shows like Small Wonder and Voltron (age hint). Back then, we thought this was just entertainment. But now, it’s becoming beyond reality. Do we as human beings hate and mistrust each other so much that we’d rather have robots as colleagues, even as spouses? Will robots replace humans altogether?
