4 Life Lessons Gleaned from Robotics

Robots, increasingly integrated into our lives, prompt deeper self-reflection. Ken Goldberg shares four profound lessons learned from working with robots, offering insights into humanity itself.

Question Assumptions

In 1993, as a young professor, Goldberg created the Telegarden, a robotic garden accessible online. Users worldwide could interact with the garden remotely. A student's simple question, "Is the robot real?" led to a collaboration with philosopher Hubert Dreyfus, exploring telepistemology, the study of knowledge at a distance. This experience underscored the importance of questioning assumptions, a crucial lesson applicable far beyond robotics.

• The Telegarden allowed remote interaction with a real garden.
• A student's question sparked an exploration of knowledge and reality.
• Questioning assumptions is vital in all aspects of life.

Embrace Improvisation

The Tele-actor project explored human-robot interaction in dynamic environments. An actress, equipped with cameras and microphones, was guided by online users in real-time. At the Webby Awards, the Tele-actor surprised everyone by kissing host Sam Donaldson, an unscripted moment of improvisation. This highlighted the value of trusting instincts and adapting to unexpected situations.

• The Tele-actor project placed a human in a robot's role.
• Online users guided the actress in real-time.
• The spontaneous kiss demonstrated the power of improvisation.

Pivot When Blocked

Inspired by his father's cancer treatment, Goldberg explored medical robotics. Current cancer treatment involves inserting needles in parallel to deliver radioactive seeds, but this often damages sensitive organs. Goldberg's team developed a robotic system that allows needles to be inserted at various angles, avoiding delicate organs. This project taught the importance of pivoting when faced with obstacles, finding alternative paths to achieve goals.

• Current cancer treatment methods can damage organs.
• A robotic system allows for more precise needle insertion.
• Pivoting is essential when facing obstacles.

Practice Makes Perfect

Goldberg's final project focused on surgical robotics, specifically the Da Vinci surgical robot. By using techniques for teaching robots from example, they were able to get the robot to perform a delicate task like a surgical subtask at 10 times the speed of a human. This project reinforced the value of practice and repetition in achieving excellence.

• The Da Vinci robot is used in hospitals worldwide.
• Robots can be taught surgical subtasks through demonstration.
• Practice is essential for mastering any skill.

Conclusion

Robotics offers valuable insights into what it means to be human. By questioning assumptions, embracing improvisation, pivoting when blocked, and practicing diligently, we can all strive to be better humans. As technology advances, reflecting on the lessons it teaches us becomes increasingly important.