Podcast# 267 Oregon Matters: Salem OR. World’s First Factory for Humanoid Robots, The Truth about Amazon and Damion Shelton of Agility Robotics.

The Future of Robotics and Its Societal ImplicationsSalem, Oregon: Ground Zero for Humanoid RoboticsIn the heart of Salem, Oregon, a monumental shift is underway. The city now boasts the world's first factory dedicated to producing humanoid robots. This 70,000 square foot behemoth, named RoboFeb, is the brainchild of Agility Robotics. With projections to manufacture a staggering 10,000 robots annually, the implications are vast and varied.Amazon's Billion-Dollar Bet on RoboticsBut who's funding this ambitious endeavor? None other than Amazon. Agility Robotics was a prime beneficiary of Amazon's $1 billion Industrial Innovation fund. While this might seem like a philanthropic gesture, it's essential to remember that corporations, especially of Amazon's stature, don't just hand out money without expecting returns. The underlying motive? Potentially replacing human labor with these humanoid robots named Digit.The Societal Cost of Technological AdvancementAs we stand on the cusp of this robotic revolution, it's crucial to consider the broader societal implications. While robots like Digit might address workplace challenges like injuries and high turnover, they also pose a threat to human employment. The business world's age-old mantra of maximizing profits often comes at the expense of human welfare. And as history has shown, the introduction of new technology doesn't always lead to the creation of new job sectors.In conclusion, while the allure of cutting-edge robotics is undeniable, it's vital to approach this new frontier with caution and foresight. After all, just because we can do something doesn't necessarily mean we should.You can go to my website - https://theearnestmannshow.com - to listen to this, or any of my many other episodes. Engage me and other listeners by leaving a comment, and/or you can reach out to me personally, via my website's contact page. My website is a work in progress, I update its content as time allows as I am a just a one "Mann" show - ha ha, so check for new things periodically, you will find interesting and entertaining things there. Please consider, that by visiting the website and supporting this show, you're supporting an actual person, not some mega corporation, that wouldn't know human compassion if it hit them over the head!Perhaps most importantly, by leaving a comment after you listen to an episode, your opinion or advice may help another person in this world more than you know, and I'm not kidding, I have seen it time and again, so leave a comment, and maybe change a person's life for the better! Take care - Earnest© 2023 The Earnest Mann Show