The Great Robot Invasion

Some people are becoming concerned about the robots among us. And to make matters worse, Carnegie Mellon University has developed robots that any klutz can build at home.

Robots are very useful for tasks that humans are not suited for--deep sea exploration, various military tasks, etc. Robots have replaced thousands of workers on assembly lines, performing tirelessly hour after hour, day after day, year after year.

Robots are now entering more traditional service industries, such as taking over some of the tasks of jewelers. Soon robots may be watching over the kids or the old folks, or just watching over the house.

Robot toys are much more common, and it is inevitable that eventually robots will be able to combine the jobs of babysitter, toy, tutor, and playmate all in one autonomous device.

The sensors that robots will be given, will make them that much more intimidating. Robots will be able to "see" in the full electromagnetic spectrum, smell dangerous chemicals that humans can not, "taste" poisons or microbes in food that might kill or disable humans, seek out explosive devices to stymie suicide bombers and car bombers etc.

Modern robots are often the butt of jokes, but in the future, robots will be respected--if not feared.