About this item
Most robots are just tools. They do limited sets of tasks subject to constant human control. But a new type of robot is coming. These machines will operate on their own in busy, unpredictable public spaces. They'll ferry deliveries, manage emergency rooms, even grocery shop. Such systems could be truly collaborative, accomplishing tasks we don't do well without our having to stop and direct them. This makes them social entities, so, as robot designers Laura Major and Julie Shah argue, whether they make our lives better or worse is a matter of whether they know how to behave.What to Expect When You're Expecting Robots offers a vision for how robots can survive in the real world and how they will change our relationship to technology. From teaching them manners, to robot-proofing public spaces, to planning for their mistakes, this book answers every question you didn't know you needed to ask about the robots on the way.
About the Author
Laura Major has a long career developing autonomous solutions across ground robotics, aerial, and space applications. She is currently the CTO at Motional, where she leads the development of autonomous vehicles. Previously she was the CTO at Aria Insights / CyPhy Works, the pioneer in tethered drones. Laura spent 12 years at Draper Laboratory developing new capabilities that fuse human and machine intelligence to solve technical challenges across many domains that address problems of national security. At Draper Laura led the research program under which ATAK, an Android app used on the battlefield, was first developed. Laura was honored by the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) with a national award for Emerging Leaders in 2014, for her career accomplishments. Mass High Tech honored Laura as one of its 2014 "Women to Watch". Laura has an MS from MIT and a BS from Georgia Tech and she has been active in STEM mentoring with Science Club for Girls, which connects girls in grades K-12 with female mentor-scientists and engineers.
