Key themes: reasons to be hopeful
- Advances in technology may displace certain types of work, but historically they have been a net creator of jobs.
- We will adapt to these changes by inventing entirely new types of work, and by taking advantage of uniquely human capabilities.
- Technology will free us from day-to-day drudgery, and allow us to define our relationship with "work" in a more positive and socially beneficial way.
- Ultimately, we as a society control our own destiny through the choices we make.
Key themes: reasons to be concerned
- Impacts from automation have thus far impacted mostly blue-collar employment; the coming wave of innovation threatens to upend white-collar work as well.
- Certain highly-skilled workers will succeed wildly in this new environment—but far more may be displaced into lower paying service industry jobs at best, or permanent unemployment at worst.
- Our educational system is not adequately preparing us for work of the future, and our political and economic institutions are poorly equipped to handle these hard choices
Robotic Prosthetics
Prosthetics are one of the best uses for robotics and man-machine interfaces.
Revolutionary mechanical hand adds a sense of touch to mind-controlled prostheses
Man controls cybernetic hand with thoughts
Shadow Hand
Cyborg-style 'iLimb' hand a big hit with Iraq veterans
The future of hand prostheses
Robot Hand
Applause For The SmartHand
Bionic arm, "Luke Arm" prosthesis
Shape-shifting robot compensates for damaged limb
Upgrading the Prosthetic Hand
Exoskeletons
Wearable bionic suits are being developed for the military to allow soldiers to carry heavier loads and to conserve energy.
Other uses for exoskeletons are assisting rescue workers move heavy objects and bionics for motor-impaired patients.
Exoskeletons