Monday, April 19, 2010

Asian Enthusiasm for Robots




Robotic research is certainly more popular in Japan and perhaps this item on cultural acceptability is worth thinking about.

The traditional concept of a humanoid like robot has always seemed as an unnecessary exercise in over engineering with modest applicability.  Yet they have been seriously going there and I no longer think that we are too far from having graceful and able devices.

I still think we will have an expensive solution in search of a problem.  Yet a device with the movement and strength flexibility of a human being may surprise us only because our world is fully optimized for just such a device.

Certainly the idea of such a robotic caregiver working in a nursing home as a nurse’s aide is not out of line at all.

How about such a device operating in the agricultural environment to do repetitive harvesting tasks.  This is where human input is most difficult to organize. I have posted on reorganizing society to overcome these shortfalls and I believe it is practical and possible.  Yet a classic robot could also possibly solve the problem.

In the end cost will likely block all such applications, but we shall soon see attempts to find out. It is fitting that the countries still least touched by our version of industrial agriculture are developing this.


APRIL 14, 2010

The Japanese and to a lesser degree other asians seem to have a stronger openness and acceptance and eagerness to develop robots than those in western countries. Why is this the case ?

There are 295 of these mechanized workers for every 10,000 manufacturing Japanese – a robot density almost 10 times the world average, more than triple that of the U.S. (84) and nearly six times more than Europe (50). 

* According to a prediction by the Japanese government, the domestic robot industry will be worth $67 billion in 2025. And no other country seems to be able to keep up. North America-based companies sold industrial robots worth $979.4 million in 2008, while the Japan Robot Association says the domestic market for those machines is currently sized at about $6.7 billion.


* Shintoism (japan's primary religion) has an acceptance that inanimate objects can have a spirit. This and similar attitudes in other Asian beliefs made asia and japan more culturally ready to be receptive of robots

* In the 1950s there were the success of Astro boy and other robot centric cartoons and movies. This provided a source of inspiration for scientists much like western scientists and engineered are inspired by Star Trek and making devices and inventions that they saw there

* But perhaps the most important factor is Japan’s strategic economic planning in this field, which is heavily influenced by demographic development. The government actively supports private companies to make sure Japan keeps spearheading the robotics industry, one of its key sectors targeted for promotion.

* The government makes no secret that it sees intelligent robots playing a key role in coping with the rapidly aging population. In 2007, the Japanese government announced that it wants to see one million industrial robots installed in the country by 2025.

Who is Likely to be More Accepting of Life Extension


Seventh day adventist also seek longevity.

One third of the population of Taiwan, about 20-50 million estimated taoists worldwide
Who are Leaders in Stem Cells and Who is Already Funding Life Extension >? The countries that are currently investing in stem cell research and regenerative medicine also seem likely to fund and push for life extension. Leading countries in stem cell work are the UK, Korea, Singapore, Sweden, Israel, Australia, and China. The US and California in particle have invested in stem cell research as well. 

Although currently the funding and work for SENS and Genescient and other companies and projects that are leading the way in life extension research is from and in the United States and the UK. 

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