Is that a model M?

[bettablue]

I just saw this story on MSN.com

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42183592/ns/business-careers/t/nine-jobs-humans-may-lose-robots/?gt1=43001 [ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 28061

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I thought it was funny that the robot is using a keyboard that could easily be over 25 years old.

[wcass]

i don't think so. the profile is wrong.

[Lanx]

computer monitor and case seem to be circa 2004 too lol, when's the last time we saw beige anything?

[Pretendo]

The keyboard was much too puny, but that article is a little bit disconcerting.

[bettablue]

I'll say it was disconcerting!  I work as a technical support supervisor with UPS.  When a customer has an issue with either the shipping software, our web site, or even hardware that we sometimes provide, it's our job to assist them in getting their systems back up and running.  With all of the resources at our disposal, I could easily see a time when voice recognition and speach synthesis are good enough to do the job my agents do.  If robots can take care of typing, and computers can take care of the customers, there's no telling what the future would be like.  We're getting closer and closer to that reality every day.  

The human species would essentially become outdated and obsolete.

[False_Dmitry_II]

Actually, if you were purpose designing something to do the job of those people (like the sports writer one) it would, in person, be just a single machine or two sitting there humming. No need for moving parts or actually audible conversations. Sort of like, why would you build a robot that is capable of driving a car instead of simply building a robot car that drives itself.