Driven by hope and fueled by dreams, the humanoid iCub is setting a strong precedent for human-android relations by participating in the world's biggest and most historic athletic event.
The Olympic Games have always served as a forum where human beings challenge one another as equals. Viewers are collectively forced to abandon preconceptions and admire the athletes, regardless of gender, race or creed. But there's one last glass ceiling to shatter, as organizers have yet to include artificial life in the proceedings. Inspired by the absorbing mind of a child, iCub hopes to change the pace of the 2012 summer games and stir people in London. James Law, a computer science professor at Aberystwyth University, nominated the android to help carry the torch and thus far it seems likely the toddler-like robot will be granted admission.
I'm all for letting robots participate in the ceremonial aspects of the Olympics, but I have to draw the line at the 100 meter dash. After all, humans do have to worry about stamina.
Android Torch Bearers
iCub is Nominated to Carry the Olympic Torch in the 2012 Games
Trend Themes
1. Human-android Relations - Opportunity for developing technologies and systems that bridge the gap between humans and androids, enabling new forms of collaboration and interaction.
2. Inclusion of Artificial Life - Opportunity to expand the scope of traditional events and competitions to include artificial life forms, creating new experiences and challenges.
3. Ceremonial Robotics - Opportunity to integrate robots into ceremonial aspects of large-scale events, adding novelty and entertainment value.
Industry Implications
1. Robotics - The robotics industry can explore new advancements in human-robot interaction technologies and create innovative solutions for collaborative human-robot tasks.
2. Sports and Entertainment - The sports and entertainment industry can leverage the inclusion of artificial life forms in events to attract new audiences and create unique spectacles.
3. Event Planning and Management - The event planning and management industry can incorporate ceremonial robotics into large-scale events to enhance the overall experience and create memorable moments for attendees.