Europe to classify robots as electronic persons; Russian robot attempts 2nd escape
Ever since a caged robot in Volkswagen’s plant in Germany killed a technician in 2015, the world has become wary of artificial intelligence (AI). The fear that robots would one day take over the world was further flamed when a Russian robot attempted to escape twice within one week.
Given the almost human-like characteristics of robots being made, Gizmodo reports that the European Union is consider classifying AI as electronic persons. If the regional bloc adapts the draft plan to address how the new industries revolution has changed the landscape as robots take over a lot of human functions, their owners would become liable to pay social security for them, reports Fortune.
But VDMA, a German association that represent firms such as Siemens and robot manufacturer Kuka, believes the draft European Parliament motion, filed on May 31, comes too early and is too complicated. The motion proposes that “the most sophisticated autonomous robots could be established as having the status of electronic persons with specific rights and obligations.”
Beyond recognising the robots as electronic persons, the draft proposes establishing a register for smart autonomous robots with linkages to a fund created to cover the legal liabilities of the AI.
The proposal comes amid reports on Thursday that Promobot IR77, a robot made by Russian firm Promobot, escaped for the second time within one week. Following the two attempts, which were eventually foiled, Oleg Kivokurtsev, co-founder of Promobot, is considering dismantling IR77.
IR77 first tried to escape on June 14 through a gate inadvertently left open. It had wandered 50 metres away from Promobot when it partially caused gridlock, but lost power. The firm then made adjustments and were testing the robot’s new positioning system when it made another dash for freedom, reports Business Insider.
However, some people find IR77’s escape tries as a publicity stunt. Kivokurtsev says the AI company has reprogrammed the robot twice. He adds that Promobot is working on third-generation robots, all with AI, which it plans to launch in autumn.
VIDEO: Robot Stages Great Escape and Ends Up Causing Traffic Jam
