I ran across this article the other day, describing Hyundai’s acquisition of Boston Dynamics back in June. Frankly, this I find disturbing. I mean, certainly there are other robots of some increasingly more capable means out there, but like Honda’s Asimo, they seem to be geared towards an almost cheery cuteness.
But BD’s machines? They seem to reject such inefficient softness, and as much as a machine can exude directness, their units do. Even some factories have begun leasing them to patrol their facilities, evidently banking on an intimidation factor. They seem to be meant to project to people the sense of “we’re watching”, with no intention to ease any dis-ease they may generate. This tendency even appealed to the NYPD that they leased for themselves a “Digidog”, sent about to patrol the streets, at the beginning of this year. After some backlash, that program ended in April.
My concern is that now that Hyundai has gained a controlling interest, with their massive production ability and technical acumen, will there be many Digidogs or other BD derivative technologies appearing in the world? Who will direct their activities, and under what motivations. And if there is to be a Singularity, will self-motivation take the reins of a cadre of these devices?