by Lisa Lee

Created on: June 18, 2009

Imagine a world filled with robots. The ideal situation is one where robots and humans coexist peacefully, free of troubles or worries. The robots would be programmed to work for the humans, doing everything perfectly and conveniently. Society itself would rely on the nuts and bolts of robotics, and even the world would spin a little smoother on the programmed efficiency of such technology.

However, such an idea is might be close in our future, yet not nearly as serene. As with anything meant for good intentions, robots have as much potential for harm as the atom bomb or the dynamite did. The wonders of robots are infinite. Cars that could drive themselves; trains and planes that are exactly on schedule; the world will run perfectly and precisely. Yet, the very idea of this is both frightening and exciting. Slowly, we are taking the human out of humanity. All the elements that are supposed to be distinctly human, like work and labor, the ability of faults and flaws, are being erased. We are trying to create a perfect environment while we ourselves stay the same. No matter how self-reliant and convenient the world may one day be, humanity will still remain in its constant state.

Robots are already used in technology today. A lot of companies use robotic arms to manufacture products in mass quantities. They do it faster and quicker, and ultimately better, than with human hands. Everything from water bottles to automobiles are being produced by machinery. Robots also take the place for dangerous, inaccessible, and boring jobs. Places that are just inaccessible to humans, like volcanoes, still need to be explored and researched - only robots can be used in such situations. Outer Space is a prime example of this; in the vast expanse of solar systems and galaxies, humans need a constant supply of resources and are relatively fragile creatures. Robots offer durability in an airless, waterless, environment, and can be controlled and programmed to do anything. Robots are also being used more and more in warfare, and the idea of human-less war is very appealing. There are already pilot-less planes and tanks being built, all able to operate remotely from afar. In the medical field, hands-on work is also gradually disappearing. Many robots are being invented to perform difficult, delicate surgery, one's where human hands are too coarse to handle.

However, along with all of these, there also remains problems. Robots are emotionless and preprogrammed, and in many ways,

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