From R2D2, Luke Skywalker’s steadfast assistant in the Star Wars series, to Robin William’s character Andrew in Bicentennial Man, science-fiction has long tantalised readers with the prospect of working robots. Now that ambition is starting to be realised. But what will the effect of workplace robots be on humans?

Business of Fashion recently wrote about the prospect of robots replacing humans as the new low-wage seamstresses. In the article BoF pointed to several examples where robots are already being implemented by fashion companies to complete sewing work. Adidas’s “SpeedFactory”, for example, will use robots to help sew shoes together next year. And robots are already sewing bath towels, drapery pleats, yoga pants, and ironing board covers for other companies.

In a similar vein, Gizmag.com recently published an article about a robotics company Softbank’s Pepper robots “getting a job in a pizza joint”. The robot, which can recognise human emotions and portray its own, will take orders, respond to customers’ questions, and accept payments.

Perhaps even more dramatic are Uber’s plans to create a fleet of driverless cars. The company, which has hopes to completely end private car ownership in the near future, has outfitted a Ford Fusion with radar, laser scanners, and cameras to allow the car to transport customers without the need for a driver.

These are just a few examples; I’m sure you could find plenty more instances in which companies are seeking to use robots to replace what have traditionally been human jobs. Indeed, in certain industries – such as car manufacturing and engineering – robots have long since held an important role on the assembly line. But what we’re seeing now is something different: robots are moving into roles that, previously, they would not have been intelligent or dynamic enough to assume.

No one really know what the outcome of such a transition will be, with some commentators, including Stephen Hawking, pointing out the that intelligent robots could present a danger to mankind, and others seeing them as nothing more than a natural and beneficial progression – one which could see an end to sweatshops and an increase quality of life globally.

What is certain is that, in the next few decades, we will see more companies pursue more ambitious uses for intelligent robots. And this will be an exciting thing to behold. My hope is that both the economic and social impact of intelligent workforce robots will be positive.

What do you think the impact of intelligent worker robots will be on humans?

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