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nietzschesghost's review
5.0
What a timely book! As we are becoming increasingly concerned about the use of robots in everyday life and in particular their ability to take over our jobs without the need for remuneration, we are torn between advancing and enriching our lives through robotic advancement and the possible cost we could face as a species should this occur. You can see why many businesses would support the advancement of robotic technology as it would cut their costs substantially if they were able to employ robots to do most of the workload. But could this lead to humanities downfall? It's a provocative and interesting question.
Whenever I think about robots I tend to think of the synths on the TV programme Humans or those freaky looking types that can be found manning the reception at various Japanese hotels but I do realise that most robots are not made or meant to resemble human beings. This book opened my eyes as to exactly what contraptions are around these days. Robots are not only assisting our surgeons, helping out the armed forces, and working in our factories, they are also helping us out at home with the chores e.g. free-roaming hoovers, that have been available to purchase for a few years now, and are set to be an even bigger part of our lives as time goes on.
"WE: ROBOT" was as intriguing as I thought it would be and I was totally engrossed from the very beginning, in fact it surpassed my expectations. There is information on how robots are currently being used around the world but plenty of discussion about upcoming releases that may take the world by storm. Hambling talks about fifty unique robots such as the Reem Robocop who polices the Dubai streets to the drones that deliver our parcels and not forgetting the nightmare inducing Gemonoid Hi-4 built to look just like a human (very similar to the ones I mentioned above).
I absolutely adored reading this and was a little sad when it came to an end. Everything about it was perfect to me, the information on both robots that already exist and ones that are in the making was accessible and engaging and Hambling also touched on why robots have become so embedded in our culture, how they work and what they tell us about our society and its future.
This is a fantastic read for anyone interested in the specifics of robotics and the advances made in the technology field towards us being much more reliant on these devices. As aforementioned, it is a very accessible book that I think most people would find engaging, well written and meticulously researched. The beautiful illustrations and colour photographs really complement the writing. I have to give it five-stars as it thoroughly deserves it. I've ordered a copy for my already overstuffed bookshelves and will definitely read it once again when I receive the physical copy.
Many thanks to Quarto Publishing Group - Aurum Press for an ARC. I was not required to post a review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Whenever I think about robots I tend to think of the synths on the TV programme Humans or those freaky looking types that can be found manning the reception at various Japanese hotels but I do realise that most robots are not made or meant to resemble human beings. This book opened my eyes as to exactly what contraptions are around these days. Robots are not only assisting our surgeons, helping out the armed forces, and working in our factories, they are also helping us out at home with the chores e.g. free-roaming hoovers, that have been available to purchase for a few years now, and are set to be an even bigger part of our lives as time goes on.
"WE: ROBOT" was as intriguing as I thought it would be and I was totally engrossed from the very beginning, in fact it surpassed my expectations. There is information on how robots are currently being used around the world but plenty of discussion about upcoming releases that may take the world by storm. Hambling talks about fifty unique robots such as the Reem Robocop who polices the Dubai streets to the drones that deliver our parcels and not forgetting the nightmare inducing Gemonoid Hi-4 built to look just like a human (very similar to the ones I mentioned above).
I absolutely adored reading this and was a little sad when it came to an end. Everything about it was perfect to me, the information on both robots that already exist and ones that are in the making was accessible and engaging and Hambling also touched on why robots have become so embedded in our culture, how they work and what they tell us about our society and its future.
This is a fantastic read for anyone interested in the specifics of robotics and the advances made in the technology field towards us being much more reliant on these devices. As aforementioned, it is a very accessible book that I think most people would find engaging, well written and meticulously researched. The beautiful illustrations and colour photographs really complement the writing. I have to give it five-stars as it thoroughly deserves it. I've ordered a copy for my already overstuffed bookshelves and will definitely read it once again when I receive the physical copy.
Many thanks to Quarto Publishing Group - Aurum Press for an ARC. I was not required to post a review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
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