Our Robots, Ourselves

Robotics and the Myth of Autonomy

By: David A. Mindell

Narrated by: David Chandler

From drones to Mars rovers - an exploration of the most innovative use of robots today and a provocative argument for the crucial role of humans in our increasingly technological future.

In Our Robots, Ourselves, David Mindell offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the cutting edge of robotics today, debunking commonly held myths and exploring the rapidly changing relationships between humans and machines. Drawing on firsthand experience, extensive interviews, and the latest research from MIT and elsewhere, Mindell takes us to extreme environments-high atmosphere, deep ocean, and outer space - to reveal where the most advanced robotics already exist. In these environments, scientists use robots to discover new information about ancient civilizations, to map some of the world's largest geological features, and even to "commute" to Mars to conduct daily experiments. But these tools of air, sea, and space also forecast the dangers, ethical quandaries, and unintended consequences of a future in which robotics and automation suffuse our everyday lives.

Mindell argues that the stark lines we've drawn between human and not human, manual and automated, aren't helpful for understanding our relationship with robotics. Brilliantly researched and accessibly written, Our Robots, Ourselves clarifies misconceptions about the autonomous robot, offering instead a hopeful message about what he calls "rich human presence" at the center of the technological landscape we are now.

©2015 David A. Mindell (P)2015 Recorded Books

intriguing and long winded

interesting point about the role of humans and machines together. examples were a bit long and drawn out. a cliff notes version would be great

refreshing

I liked the book he gave a good overview of where we started and where we are today. And of course not understanding the human objections and differences that scientists come across with these technologies I think for me was an eye opener things I never really thought about. he explained them very well

MUST READ

David is the perfect guy in this point of our human history. The book is technical without being too complicated and puts the use of drones, spaceships and submarines into the realm of the Tesla car.

Listened because of narrator

This was one of the most boring books I’ve ever listened to. But I enjoyed it because I love David chandlers voice