South Korea is drawing up a code of ethics to stop humans misusing robots – or vice versa – officials announced on Wednesday. (…) “The government plans to set ethical guidelines concerning the roles and functions of robots, as robots are expected to develop strong intelligence in the near future,” the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy said in a statement. As the South Korean population ages, various service robots will come into use, eventually becoming “key companions to human beings”, it added.

However, one robotics researcher warns that it remains a mystery whether machines will ever be able to understand ethics in the same way as humans. (…) The government’s guidelines will reflect the “Three Laws of Robotics” put forward by science fiction author Isaac Asimov. These are:

1. A robot may not injure a human or, through inaction, allow a human to come to harm

2. A robot must obey orders given by a human unless these conflict with the first law

3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as this does not conflict with the first or second law { New Scientist | Continue reading }

+ previously { Honda’s The Power of Dreams }

toy { Bennett Robot Works }

eBay | ROBOT INDUSTRIAL FANUC S420iW

This auction is for a used 1997 FANUC S420iW Industrial robot with RJ-2 Controls in a remote “B” cabinet.  This robot has a capacity rating of 346 pounds and was at one time used in a Nissan Motor Plant.

It is NOT intended to be a “RIDE” and I do not reccomend doing so. Fanuc also does NOT support the use of this machine as a “JOY RIDE”. Using this robot in such a manner can be hazardous to your health!!!

I have no further use for this unit and I am looking to sell. With the money from this sale I will be in the market for an ArcMate 100i with PowerWave 455 welding machine.

Videos of a machine “EXACTLY LIKE THIS ONE” in operation are available ALL OVER THE INTERNET!! Google the words “ROBOT RIDE” and find footage of a robot “EXACTLY LIKE THE ONE I HAVE FOR SALE”

My unit has approximately 45K hours on it and there are several vacancies in the cabinet for additional drives or I/O devices. The unit comes complete with all power cables, control cables, teach pendant and cable. It is 100% fully operational and guaranteed to provide good service.

No TOOLING or END EFFECTORS are included in this sale, as I have NONE for this robot. The SEAT, and 5-point CROW racing harness are also NOT available in this auction.

This is NOT a JOKE, this is a serious auction for a serious piece of industrial equipment. This is NOT a TOY or a “RIDE”, although it is apparent that it can support the weight of average humans.

I can arrange shipping of this unit worldwide - at the buyers expense. Unit weighs 3500-3700 pounds and stands nearly 6 foot tall in the crouched position. Consider shipping costs before you place a bid. I will provide crating of the unit and controller at no extra expense to the winning bidder.

Avoid the frenzy of bidding wars and use the BUY IT NOW option if you are serious about owning THIS EXACT ROBOT without hesitation.

+ { What happens when robots start to develop emotions of their own? }

In the 50s, most of the robots were real assholes. Today they are the most lovely beings. With time, things always get better.

~ we’re not talking about the after hours club in the East Village you used to go in the 90s.