Although published in 2015, the message of Turing Robots: Income Inequality and Social mobility is as relevant as ever. Written in 2015 by two Rice Faculty Scholars at the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy, the paper discusses the value of work, the importance of social mobility and suggests possible solutions to adjust to a world where robots/computers do the majority of the work. As seen below, the shutdown seems to be accelerating the trend of robots and cobots taking on more tasks, which has positive benefits in protecting humans, delivering better healthcare, and, potentially, reducing costs.
Robots work to fight COVID 19; SK Telecom’s 5G Robot by Alan Weissberger
Robots are being used on a large scale to combat COVID-19 and that may continue for quite some time. Automation solutions that were unthinkable twenty years ago have matured and are now very practicable, thanks to the convergence of technologies like machine vision, machine learning & AI, open-source robotic operating systems, and mobile components and sensors. Here are just a few examples of robots at work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Drugstore at the Doorstep (YouTube)
Another robot example is CVS and Nuro’s announcement of autonomous deliveries of prescriptions in the Houston area. Nuro’s Medium article indicates that its self-driving Prius fleet will be the initial delivery vehicle. It doesn’t indicate whether there will be safety-drivers in those vehicles. In the coming months, they will introduce their customer delivery bot, the R2. The R2 is a purpose-built, autonomous, electric delivery vehicle (no steering wheel, no seats, no human).
Tele-Physical Therapist #CES2020
Consistent rehabilitation after a stroke or surgery is critical to a patient’s recovery. This isn’t so easy if a physical therapist isn’t nearby, such as often the case in a rural setting. H-Robotics hopes to change that with a robotic attachment, rebless, that exercises arms, ankles, and legs, allowing the patient to receive therapy at home. An associated app remotely connects the patient to a physical therapist.
Behind the Scenes – NCTC Update & Bordering Hope
One of the rewarding things about working with NCTC and its members is learning the backstories of the folks who comprise these organizations. In this ViodiTV Real-Time Conversation, Brian Dowell provides an update on NCTC and we find out that they are busier than ever, as they are helping their members get the products they need. We then talk to one of NCTC’s newest staff members, Nick Bartelli, who is also the producer and writer of a thought-provoking and emotionally moving documentary on efforts to educate Syrian War child refugees.
Webinars, Whitepapers & Meet-Ups – #WEC2020
Member education will be an increasingly important service for NCTC and leading that effort is Don Simon. WEC2020 was Don’s debut at an NCTC event and, in this brief overview, he outlines some of the approaches NCTC will be taking to educate members about new products and services. With his diverse and complementary background that includes local ad production for a cable system, a J.D., and extensive work in the arts community, Simon brings a unique set of qualifications to his role.
Some Tweets and Short Thoughts:
Ronnie Lott on character & more at TIS2015 @SmartDrivingCar (YouTube) touches upon the importance of healthcare resilience in an interview with @ChunkaMui. Resilience hasn’t been a problem with broadband, as the networks have held up surprisingly well given the surge in demand due to Work from Home. This author would argue that the fundamental reason for the robustness of the U.S. broadband fabric is competition.
- An autonomous mobile ballot box is a thought-provoking idea. Perhaps a modified @StarshipRobots could do the trick if the interloper issue can be addressed without compromising #privacy while addressing #surveillance concerns.
- Ronnie Lott “I Didn’t Understand by @karl. Ronnie Lott is a great role model and his heartfelt ViodiTV interview from #TIS2015 is a favorite.
The Korner – Faster Diagnosis Through a Connected Microscope #CES2020
CEA-Leti demonstrates a microscope that is one-tenth of the cost of a traditional lens-based alternative. No need to send samples to the lab as healthcare professionals can operate this device at the patient’s bedside to diagnose spinal meningitis in about a minute. This could be a boon to rural areas that don’t have the equipment or specialized personnel for its operation.
Working with an ecosystem of partners, this smart microscope is adaptable to other applications, including complete blood count, blood coagulation testing, monitoring of bioprocesses in bioreactors for the pharmaceutical industry, and 2D imaging for standard biological research and drug screening.
