Scientists see robots doing household chores by 2015

The Daily Yomiuri ^ | Jan 24 2005 | Yomiuri Shimbun

[nickcarraway]

By the year 2015, robots will be doing most of the household chores, and by 2025, seismologists will be able to detect huge earthquakes before they strike, according to predictions made by about 2,600 leading experts and scientists in the country.

About 4,200 scientists, university professors, engineers at private companies and researchers at independent administrative corporations were asked by the Education, Science and Technology Ministry to make predictions about what new technologies might be invented within 30 years.

About 2,600 of those polled answered 860 questions, including positing a timetable for each technical innovation and another for when the nation might see widespread use of such technology. The questions were asked of those working in about 13 fields, including electronics.

According to the answers collected by the ministry, most of the experts said that between 2011 and 2015, game software would be developed that could defeat shogi (Japanese chess) masters, and every household would have a robot doing chores such as cleaning and laundering. They predicted that in the next decade, cancer treatments derived by applying an increased understanding of the cancer-causing mechanism would be available, the officials said.

They also said that between 2011 and 2015, telephones capable of simultaneously translating one language to another would be widely used, effective weight-loss medications would be available and a cure for AIDS would be found, ministry officials said.

Between 2016 and 2025, they predicted technology would be developed to detect earthquakes stronger than magnitude 7, leading to a reduction in fatalities and injuries, while a cure for Alzheimer's also would be found, the officials said.

[Brian328i]

by 2025, seismologists will be able to detect huge earthquakes before they strike
This I really doubt. Sorry.

[Middle-O-Road]

Waaah. Why do we have to wait? I want a robot to clean my house NOW!

[marsh_of_mists]

Well...I'll believe it when I see it. The Japanese often like blowing hot air about their technology. In the 50s, American magazines were full of articles that said by 1970 we'd have robots doing our chores, colonies on Mars, etc., etc.

[thoughtomator]

That's right folks, even MORE free time to FReep!

[Lokibob]

I want my jet pack NOW!!!!

[isthisnickcool]

Hmm, a robot to clean the house? How about programming it for washing cars and doing the yard work? The all we need is a bunch of them to watch the border. Kewl...

[Cornpone]

"By the year 2015, robots will be doing most of the household chores...

Have we forgotten the joy of cooking...or hunting...or gardening...or raising our children...or of meaningful work...or life

[martin_fierro]

Outtasight.

[Freebird Forever]

By the year 2015, robots will be doing most of the household chores

Not unless the robots are cheaper than Mexicans.

[NorCalRepub]

just like the Jetson's........."Rosie!!!!!!"

[sinanju]

Sigh! Wasn't the future wonderful...

---

"New Horizons" Lyrics

Children:
If we can dream it, then we can do it
Yes we can, yes we can!
If we can dream it, then we can do it
Yes we can, yes we can!

Male: Have you ever looked beyond today into the future?
Female: Picturing a world we've yet to see
Male: The wonder of finding new ways
That lead to the promise of brighter days

Female: Have you ever dreamed the dreams of the children?
Male: Just imagine the magic their minds can see
Children: If we can dream it
Female: Horizons, all shining and new
Male: Shining and new
Female: Horizons, where dreams do come true
Male: They do come true

All: And it will be
A future built with care
For you and me
A world we all can share

Male & Female: For today holds the challenge
To make this world a better place to be
All: New Horizons for you and for me

Children: If we can dream it, then we can do it....

(Continuously Repeats)

---

Lyrics and Music by George Wilkins
Vocals by Gloria Kaye and others
© 1981 Walt Disney Music Co. (ASCAP)

[DTogo]

Doing the work Americans don't want to. Gee, will the robots qualify for a guest worker permit, and perhaps eventual citizenship?

Only if they're made in Mexico. ;)

[AntiGuv]

You forgot to mention the joy of scrubbing toilets...or taking out the trash...or mopping stairs...or weeding the driveway...or whatever.

[Lockbar]

I think we have seen this somewhere else before.

[virgil]

How much is it gonna cost? I can't hardly pay for the technological wonders of right now.

[chickenlips]

Two questions about the robot housekeepers:

1) Will we have to sneak them across the border?
2) Can we name them "Bridgette"?

[cripplecreek]

But my wife wants the dishes done right now.