Japan creates Asimov-like robotic laws

May 31, 2006

Japan is creating "robotic laws" along the lines envisioned by scientist Isaac Asimov in the Laws of Robotics he presented in a 1940 science fiction novel.

The set of safety guidelines would emulate Asimov's First Law of Robotics: "A robot may not injure a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm," technovelgy.com reported.

The rules being created by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry include requiring manufacturers to install sensors to keep robots from running into people, with light or soft materials used in building the robots.

In addition, emergency shut-off buttons will also reportedly be required.

Japanese manufacturers are interested in creating robots to ease a labor shortage in that nation's elder care industry, technovelgy.com said.

Rate this story - 3.5 /5 (34 votes)

rank
1
2
3
4
5

view popular

Other News

Software takes a hard look at traffic fatalities

Technology / Software

1hour ago | not rated yet | 0

Bergen County Police and a Hackensack, N.J., drug treatment center are among a growing number of agencies using a software program to identify dangerous intersections, spot teen driving trends and reduce accident fatalities.

Selling chip makers on optical computing

Technology / Semiconductors

9 hours ago | 5 / 5 (5) | 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- Computer chips that transmit data with light instead of electricity consume much less power than conventional chips, but so far, they've remained laboratory curiosities. Professors Vladimir ...

Facebook creates dual-class structure, but no IPO

Technology / Business

5 hours ago | 1 / 5 (1) | 0

(AP) -- Facebook has created a dual-class stock structure designed to give founder Mark Zuckerberg and other existing shareholders control over the company.

Taking the drudgery out of software development

Technology / Software

6 hours ago | 3 / 5 (2) | 1

(PhysOrg.com) -- Software developers will no longer have to reinvent the wheel when writing new programs and applications thanks to a clever new set of tools and a central repository of 'building blocks'.

Google, Yahoo zero in on Internet 'freedom' bill

Technology / Internet

4 hours ago | not rated yet | 0

Google Inc. and other Internet companies have zeroed in on a resilient effort by a Republican lawmaker to pass legislation that could restrict their ability to take a nuanced approach to operating in "repressive" foreign ...