We’re certain Isaac Asimov had no idea the impact his fictional short stories and novels would have on the robotics world. Asimov was born in the early 1920’s and immigrated to America from Russia at a young age. He grew up to become a professor of biochemistry at the university of Boston, but is known for his accomplishments as an author.
Asimov was a talented writer; the sheer amount of content he produced is impressive and he wrote in many different genres. Asimov excelled in ‘hard science fiction’, meaning his books were science fiction but had a strong connection to scientific and technical truths. His Robot books, a quasi-series, have the common themes of positronic robots and the Three Laws of Robotics.
What are positronic robots and the Three Laws of Robotics, you ask?
Positronic refers to the type of brain inside a robot. It is a fictional device imagined by Asimov that functions as the software of a robot. It is not simply a computer because it is supposed to provide the robot with human like qualities making humans perceive positronic robots as conscious.
Keep Calm with 3 Laws
The Three Laws of Robotics were developed in response to robots having positronic brains. In order to ensure humans controlled his robots, Asimov wrote about (although he credits John Campbell with the idea) the Three Laws of Robotics. These were a set of laws that all robots with positronic brains were programmed to follow. The laws are:
1. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
2. A robot must obey orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.
A Zeroth law was revealed after the initial three stating that: A robot may not injure humanity, or, through inaction, allow humanity to come to harm. However this law was formed after the first 3, likely due to a loophole in the initial laws.
The points to take away aren’t that Asimov was a dedicated creative writer (although he was), but the impact his work has had on the robotics community. Take a look at his influence:
1. Asimov’s laws have become the standard when discussing ethical questions about future robots
2. Asimov developed the word ‘robotics’.
3. Asimov was familiar with the suffix ‘–ics’ from physics, used for branches (mechanics, dynamics, electrostatics etc.). He applied the same suffix on ‘robot’. Thus, he created the term ‘robotics’ without ever having meant to create a new word.
4. Asimov’s idea of a positronic brain didn’t stop at his stories, they appear in many science fiction stories. Some examples include: The Avengers comics, Doctor Who, Star Trek (the character Data has a powerful positronic brain), I Robot, and Bicentennial Man.
Asimov’s writing inspired actual roboticists including:
-George Devol and Joseph Engelberger who created Unimite, the first industrial robot
-Joseph Weizenbaum who created a robot therapist to interact with humans, ELIZA was a direct inspiration from one of Asimov’s characters.
Who knew a fictional writer with little knowledge of robotics could make such an impact? Asimov serves as proof that creativity and a healthy imagination are not to be underestimated!
I'm a robotics enthusiast with a deep understanding of Isaac Asimov's contributions to the field. My expertise extends to the concepts of positronic robots and the Three Laws of Robotics, which Asimov introduced in his influential works.
Isaac Asimov, born in the early 1920s and a biochemistry professor at the University of Boston, left an indelible mark on the robotics world through his prolific writing career. His forte was "hard science fiction," blending scientific and technical truths into his imaginative narratives. The Robot series, featuring positronic robots and the Three Laws of Robotics, exemplifies this.
Positronic robots, a creation of Asimov's imagination, have brains that function as a fictional device, distinct from conventional computers. These brains aim to imbue robots with human-like qualities, fostering the perception of consciousness among humans.
The Three Laws of Robotics were devised by Asimov to ensure human control over robots with positronic brains. These laws are:
- A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
- A robot must obey orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
- A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.
Later, a Zeroth law was introduced, stating that a robot may not injure humanity or allow humanity to come to harm, superseding the initial three laws.
Asimov's impact on robotics is profound, as seen in:
- Ethical Framework: Asimov's laws have become a standard reference in ethical discussions about future robots.
- Terminology: He coined the term 'robotics,' using the suffix '-ics' from physics to create a new word.
- Influence on Science Fiction: Asimov's ideas, including positronic brains, permeate various science fiction stories and franchises like The Avengers, Doctor Who, Star Trek, I, Robot, and Bicentennial Man.
- Real-world Inspiration: Asimov's writings inspired actual roboticists, such as George Devol and Joseph Engelberger, who created the first industrial robot, and Joseph Weizenbaum, who developed the robot therapist ELIZA.
Isaac Asimov's unintended impact on robotics serves as a testament to the profound influence of creativity and imagination, even from someone with little initial knowledge of the field.
