Technology has experienced a startling degree of penetration within the dimensions of contemporary life. Be it recreation or vocation; there hardly exists an avenue at present that is immune to the radical changes brought about by novel tech wonders that are gracing the landscape of human interaction. Amid the rising scientific developments that are perpetuating the genesis of these wonders, the Chinese government has recently commissioned a new paradigm of technological mediation – one that is to be the cornerstone of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. With the games to be held this coming February, their preparations have taken an unprecedented turn, whereby, robots shall replace humans as the principal staff and crew members that will facilitate the event’s overall orchestration.
Robots – but why?
The Chinese Olympic Association has made a radical decision to opt for the involvement of robots as the staff to serve at the Olympics – principally to mitigate the dangers brought about by the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic that has plagued the realm of human contact for approximately two years now. The association itself contends that the use of this new technology can minimize contact between human beings and therefore, affect a truncation of the chances of the disease’s transmission. This shall serve to keep both the athletes and spectators at minimal risk of infection or death.
However, the purpose of utilizing robots is not unilateral, i.e., it doesn’t solely concern itself with the protection of human life. Over the course of the last few years, the Chinese government has aspired to transfigure itself into a renowned technological powerhouse in order to reinforce its stature as a budding potential superpower.
In light of this, the government has time and again, sanctioned an increase in its scientific and research spending. The present move of presenting robots as the new staff for the global sporting event is a reflection of the government’s said scientific indulgence. Moreover, with the global robotics industry localized at a worth of nearly $28 billion, the association has desired to use the event as a spectacle intended to demonstrate the progress and utility of Chinese research to the world. It is, thus, a move entrenched in a web of both sports and politics.
What kinds of robots are these?
In the build up to the preparation for the Olympics, the association has left no stone unturned in its endeavor to perpetuate the distinctive appeal of the various primary models of its new cool tech staff members that shall be seen performing various functions at the event itself. The first ones to be spoken about were the special disinfection robots. As the name suggests, these models will serve to distribute disinfectants and sanitizers to the spectators and human crew members that shall be present at the event. Through the use of a carefully modulated interface, these robots shall be able to identify surfaces and areas that feature a high propensity for infecting individuals and move to sanitize it promptly.
The second model to be revealed to the public is rather frugal, albeit with a substantial degree of utility. This is a simple robot whose purpose is to prepare coffee for any and all who desire to drink it. This model was one of the most enduring elements of current tech news that has gained significant currency on account of its usefulness to daily life situations.
When timed, it was seen that this model was capable of brewing, mixing, and preparing a sapid cup of coffee in less than five minutes! Moreover, it is hinted that it is capable of producing a multitude of coffee types, though this has not been confirmed by any authoritative body at present. However, it can be safely said that this model shall certainly grow to be a favorite amongst the patrons, both civilian and corporate, that it will entertain.
The third primary model is a logistics support model. The purpose of this particular model is to aid in the logistical functions that are inherent to the proper facilitation of the event’s various processes and games. It has been declared that these models are highly sophisticated, even more so than their aforementioned counterparts.
Boasting of radical new technology that can effectively evade obstacles and isolate the most optimum paths, these models are capable of navigating through various spaces while being able to carry hundreds of kilos worth of weight between two points. Bearing this capability in mind, these robots shall, therefore, be used to assist in functions such as loading and transport that are an intrinsic component to the event’s preparation.
Implications of robotic incorporation for other public avenues
The vast utility and state-of-the-art finesse of these robots certainly warrants the question pertaining to the fate of the copious degree of human resource that is laboring in China. Being the most populous country in the world, the incorporation of robotic entities in areas that feature manual labor could amount to a bubbling unemployment crisis. Though it is difficult to ascertain the pace with which such a crisis could possibly unfold, the permeation of robots within the sphere of human workmanship has certainly begun.
An auxiliary model, known popularly as the contactless delivery robot, is already operating within various public places in China. They are particularly popular in China’s Hebei province, wherein they are being utilized in Chinese hotels.
As the name implies, these robots are providing a contactless delivery service to guests and dignitaries that reside within the hotels. Their increasing usage has stirred the debate regarding the job related imbalance brought about by technological integration and the need for checks and balances to be introduced to drive away potential consequences.
Notwithstanding this debate, the integration of technology within the landscape of Chinese life has certainly experienced an exponential increase. Their use at the Olympics is a case in point that paints the picture of a more technically sophisticated world, wherein new developments are subsuming human interaction. And at its present trajectory, it seems as though these developments shall continue unabated.
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