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Guidlines for Robots
Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is working on a new
set of safety guidelines for next-generation robots.
This set of regulations would constitute a first attempt at a formal
version of the first of Asimov's science-fictional Laws of Robotics, or
at least the portion that states that humans shall not be harmed by robots.
The first law of robotics, was set forth in 1940 by science fiction writer
Isaac Asimov. It states that a robot may not injure a human being, or,
through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
Japan's ministry guidelines will require manufacturers to install a sufficient
number of sensors to keep robots from running into people. Lighter or
softer materials will be preferred, to further prevent injury.
Emergency shut-off buttons will also be required. Science fiction heroes
in stories and movies have spent an inordinate amount of time trying to
find the shut-off button for various out-of-control machines, so I hope
that these buttons will be prominently placed for easy access by concerned
humans.
People in Japan are particularly concerned about this problem, due to
the accelerating efforts to create robots that will address the coming
labour shortage in Japan's elder care industry.
Source: Wireless
Institute of Australia
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