Robotization of the social sphere

Gasumova, S. and Porter, Lisa (2019) Robotization of the social sphere. Sociology of Science & Technology, 10 (1). pp. 79-94. ISSN Print: 2079-0910 Online: 2414-9225

Abstract

The article presents a sociological analysis of the first trends in the robotization of the social sphere. The emergence and beginning of the mass distribution of so-called “service robots”, intended for use by various social groups in daily activities for the purpose of satisfying human needs, is described. Their characteristics are listed, some ethical issues of the use of robotics in the social sphere are raised. We also analyze a threat to life and health due to robotization on the example of the first ever case of a man killing by unmanned taxi (2018). The first predictive calculations of unemployment rates in the UK, provoked by the use of service robots in the future, are given. The social importance of the functionality of several samples of service robots, invented over the past 20 years and the most popular in the world, is characterized. Among them are the robot Paro (Japan) in the form of a baby seal for the elderly and sick people (which is “the most healing robot” according to the Guinness Book of Re-cords); androids robots Asimo (Japan), Actroid (Japan), EveR (South Korea), Repliee (Japan), Topio (Vietnam), Aiko (Canada), HRP (Japan), Ibn Sina (United Arab Emirates, 2009), Frank (Switzer-land), intended for communicating and performing a number of useful functions for a person; and the Kirobo Mini robot-child (Japan), the “social robot for the family” Jibo (USA) and the Russian service robot Promobot, which reached the level of mass production and distribution. The experience of the introduction of service robots in various areas on the example of Promobot is considered in detail. In general, it was shown how the robotization of the social sphere contributes to the autonomization of the individual and changes the social processes in society.

Actions (login required)

View Item