https://tctechcrunch2011.files.wordpress.com/2017/08/pedestrian-bot.gif?w=640

Each day that passes brings us closer towards the day when robots will outnumber humans and live among us performing tasks that history remembers having been performed by humans. 

In an recent article published by TechCrunch entitled 'MIT’s new Ford-funded robot can deftly navigate pedestrian traffic' many interesting points were made about the advancements of robotics specifically when it comes to the navigation of pedestrian traffic. 

>Robots have a lot of challenges remaining before they become commonplace in our lives, and many of those are likely not even something you’d think about when trying to make a list. One good example is simply walking around among people, and keeping pace with pedestrians on streets and sidewalks. MIT engineers have created a new autonomous robot that can do exactly that, however, in a way that doesn’t impede or inconvenience the people it’s walking alongside.

Leave it to MIT to take the first step (figuratively) in creating a robot that could live among humans and navigate their busy footpaths without causing disturbance and without taking much notice...

>Why is this important? Because future robots employed in service roles will have to navigate densely populated spots with a lot of foot traffic, including hospitals, malls, neighborhoods and campuses. That’s why an MIT team led by MIT researcher Yu Fan “Steven” Chen set out to create a robot that can move around completely on its own using “socially aware navigation” – in other words, following the unspoken social codes we all unconsciously observe when moving around together in shared space.

Have a look at this video to get a better look at what was described as 'socially aware navigation:'

https://youtu.be/CK1szio7PyA

<h1>Techblogger Wrap Up</h1>

Will we one day wake up and walk outside only to find a busy footpath densely populated by both humans and robots carrying out their day to day tasks as if nothing about the mingling of man and machine disturbed anyone in the slightest?

Is that day going to come sooner than we may choose to believe?

Thoughts and comments are always appreciated. Please leave your ideas below. 

Thanks for reading!

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Sources:

MIT’s new Ford-funded robot can deftly navigate pedestrian traffic - TechCrunch