| Ok kids, I’m going to give you some arguments to | | | | controlled from a console equipped with a joystick |
| use the next time your parents say “you spend too | | | | similar to the joystick of video games. The funny thing |
| much time playing video games”. In the near future | | | | is, I found an article where a kid figured out how to use |
| almost all of the dangerous or precision work will be | | | | this robot on his own, in a few minutes to the |
| done by robots. Robots are not really the correct term | | | | frustration of an experienced surgeon who said it took |
| for these machines because they will not completely | | | | him hours of training to figure it out. |
| think for themselves, but they will be mostly human | | | | For years, soldiers have been using drones or UAVs |
| controlled. A better term would be teleoperated or | | | | (unmanned aerial vehicles) to fight a war in |
| remote controlled machines but that is inaccurate also | | | | Afghanistan and Iraq while the operator sits in |
| because they do require some artificial intelligence. | | | | Washington DC. The elimination of the need for an |
| They’re not just radio controlled airplanes. For | | | | onboard human crew in a combat aircraft has obvious |
| simplicities sake I will still use the term robots. These | | | | advantages. For example there is the personnel safety |
| robots will be controlled using the same skills needed to | | | | of the flight crew. In addition, much equipment |
| play video games. These skills include the accurate | | | | necessary for a human pilot (such as the cockpit, seat, |
| hand-eye coordination that has been demonstrated to | | | | flight controls, oxygen, ejection seat, etc.) can be |
| improve with video gaming practice. The sensory | | | | omitted from an unmanned vehicle, resulting in a |
| perception that comes from reacting to a monitor | | | | decrease in weight possibly allowing greater payloads, |
| screen also comes into play. Currently, these robots | | | | range and maneuverability. Pilots, fly them from trailers |
| are being used in the medical industry and by the | | | | halfway around the world using joysticks and |
| military. In the future, there will be many other | | | | computer screens almost exactly like the flight |
| professions that will require the talents of today’s | | | | simulator games for the PC. The total number of |
| video game superstars. | | | | military drones has soared to 5,500, from 167 in 2001 |
| Already Doctors use a machine called the da Vinci | | | | and the Air Force is having problems finding operators. |
| Surgical System that allows them to do microsurgery | | | | Many operators don’t even have flight |
| using a robot. The instruments used for the surgery | | | | experience. It looks like the days of the Red Barron |
| are inserted through incisions no larger than a dime. | | | | are over. It won’t be long before all military flights |
| The surgeon sits at the console and looks through two | | | | are pilotless. So go ahead and buy that flight simulator |
| eye holes at a 3-D image of the procedure while | | | | program for your kids or better yet a predator drone |
| maneuvering the arms with two foot pedals and two | | | | simulator. |
| hand controllers. The surgeon’s hand movements | | | | Many other applications in situations where humans are |
| are scaled and filtered to eliminate hand tremor then | | | | exposed to hazardous situations are readily |
| translated into micro-movements of the robotic arms. It | | | | recognized as suitable candidates for robots. Mining, |
| was used in 48,000 procedures in 2006. The surgeon | | | | bomb disposal, military operations, rescue of victims |
| can be near the patient or hundreds of miles away. | | | | from fire, toxic atmospheres, or even hostage |
| Remote surgery is essentially advanced | | | | situations, are some examples. Not just dangerous |
| telecommuting for surgeons, where the physical | | | | jobs are candidates for robotic replacements. Jobs in |
| distance between the surgeon and the patient is | | | | less desirable parts of the world like Siberia or the |
| immaterial. The University of Nebraska Medical Center | | | | Mojave desert will be able to be worked by people in |
| is developing a radio-controlled robot that can move | | | | more desirable places like Florida or the Bahamas. |
| around inside the stomach or abdomen to give | | | | The future is forming right before our eyes and the |
| surgeons an inside view of the area being operated | | | | gamers of the world will be in the best position to |
| on. It is also equipped with a retractable needle, allowing | | | | thrive in that world. Playing video games and even |
| it to perform surgical procedures. The device is made | | | | more important, being able to make video games will |
| up of two rotating aluminum cylinders connected by a | | | | be a crucial skill and will be in high demand. Please use |
| thick axle, which carries the camera. The robot is only | | | | the tutorial at juniorgamemaker to help get you started |
| 15 millimeters in diameter, allowing it to be inserted | | | | on your journey. |
| through the small incisions in the abdomen. It is | | | | |