Bill Gates' latest sharing: Robots are less likely to replace jobs and more likely to do jobs that people don't want to do

Tencent Technology News On January 24, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates (Bill Gates) shared the latest views on robotics technology on his personal account. Robots are less likely to replace the jobs we love, and they're more likely to do jobs that people don't want to do, he said.

"That's why I'm so excited about companies across the country and around the world that are at the forefront of robotics and are committed to leading the robotics revolution. Despite the differences, one thing is certain: in healthcare, hospitality, agriculture, manufacturing, construction, and even our homes, robots have the potential to change the way we live and work, according to Bill Gates.

The following is the full text:

Is it harder for machines to mimic the way humans move, or is it harder to imitate the way humans think? If you had asked me this question ten years ago, my answer would have been "think." After all, there is still a lot of mystery about how the brain works. However, just last year, advances in artificial intelligence have allowed computer programs to create, calculate, process, understand, make decisions, recognize patterns, and continue to learn in human-like ways.

Making machines that function like our bodies—walking, jumping, touching, holding, squeezing, grasping, climbing, cutting, and stretching (or even better) like that—seems like an easier task than imitating the human mind. But unexpectedly, this is not the case. Many robots still struggle to perform some basic tasks that require dexterity, motor skills, and cognitive abilities that most people take for granted.

But with the right technology, the possibilities of robots are almost limitless: in the event of a natural disaster, robots can assist in rescue efforts so that first responders don't have to risk their lives – such as during a public health crisis like the coronavirus pandemic, when human interaction could lead to the spread of disease. On farms, they can replace toxic chemical herbicides and pull weeds by hand. On the factory floor, they can work long hours dragging hundreds or thousands of pounds of heavy loads. A good enough robotic arm is also very valuable as a prosthetic.

I understand the concern that robots are taking away human jobs, which is an unfortunate consequence of almost every innovation – including the internet (for example, which has made everyone a travel agent and eliminated much of the vacation planning industry). If robots have a similar impact on jobs, governments and the private sector will have to help people cope with this shift. But given the labor shortages in the economy right now, and the dangerous or unrewarding nature of certain occupations, I believe robots are less likely to replace the jobs we love, and they're more likely to do jobs people don't want to do. In the process, they can make us safer, healthier, more productive, and even less lonely.

That's why I'm so excited about the companies that are at the forefront of robotics across the country and around the world that are trying to lead a robotics revolution. Some of their robots are humanoid or humanoid – built to be able to interact easily in environments designed for humans. There are also robots that have superhuman traits such as flying or extendable arms that can enhance the abilities of ordinary people. Some robots move on their legs, others have wheels. Some use sensors to navigate, others are operated by remote control.

Although they differ, one thing is certain: in healthcare, hospitality, agriculture, manufacturing, construction, and even our homes, robots have the potential to change the way we live and work. In fact, some are already doing it.

Here are some cutting-edge robotics startups and labs I'm excited about:

Agility Robotics

If we want robots to function as seamlessly as possible in our environment, perhaps these robots should be modeled after humans. That's exactly what Oregon-based Agility Robotics had in mind when they created the robot "Digit," which they called "the first human-centric, multi-purpose robot for logistics work." It's roughly the size of a human – it's designed to work with humans, operate wherever we go, and fit into our workflow. But it is capable of carrying heavier loads and can stretch its "arms" to reach the shelves where we need a ladder to reach.

Tevel

For farmers in some wealthy countries, about 40 percent of the cost of growing comes from labor, which is spent all day in the scorching sun and then stops work in the evening. Given the shortage of agricultural labor, farms often have to discard fruits that are not harvested in time. That's why Tevel, founded in Tel Aviv, has created autonomous robots capable of flying that can scan the canopy of trees and pick ripe apples and drupes around the clock, while collecting comprehensive picking data in real time.

Apptronik

Which is more useful: multiple robots capable of performing a single task over and over again, or a single robot capable of multitasking and learning to do more? For Apptronik, an Austin-based startup spun off from the University of Texas' Human-Centered Robotics Lab, the answer is clearly the latter. So they're building "universal" humanoid bipedal robots like Apollo that can be programmed to perform a range of tasks — from carrying boxes in a factory to helping with household chores. Since Apollo robots can run third-party software, new features can be implemented with only software upgrades.

RoMeLa

Building a robot that can navigate rough and unstable terrain and maintain its balance without falling down is no easy task. But UCLA's Robotics & Mechanics Laboratory (RoMeLa) is working to improve the robot's locomotion capabilities. They may have solved the puzzle with ARTEMIS, which is likely to be the fastest "running" robot in the world, and it also has a hard time losing its balance. ARTEMIS also participated in the RoboCup 2023 in France in July this year.

Field AI

Some robots need not only a great "body", but also a great brain. That's exactly what Field AI, a robotics company based in Southern California that doesn't build robots, is trying to create. Instead of focusing on the hardware of these machines, Field AI develops AI software for robots from other companies that allow them to perceive their environment, navigate without GPS (on land, on water, or in the air), and even communicate with each other.