Autonomous technology requires debate, report says

As society continues to put more control in the hands of machines, debate is needed about the ethical and legal issues of such self-determination.  A new report from the British  Royal Academy of Engineering says that the era of autonomous machines — from personal rapid transit to robotic surgeons — is getting closer. “Autonomous vehicles will be safer,” said Professor Will Stewart, a fellow of the Academy. “One of the compelling arguments for them is that the machine cannot have an argument with its wife; it can run 24 hours a day without getting tired. But it is making decisions on its own.” Link to full story in BBC News.

Tagged as: personal rapid transit, robotics