Automation is associated with job loss for many Americans, but is it possible that this industry can unlock a new wave of prosperity for the middle class? Let's take a look at robotics, automation and the 99%.
Earlier this month, a Pew Poll revealed that the majority of Americans are worried about a future where they are displaced by robots in the workplace.
For many, this worry is very real. Everyone from factory workers to fast food employees are feeling the pressure. These robots, currently developed by large corporations, are part of a trend; money and power keep concentrating in the hands of the few. But is it possible that automation can help reinvigorate the middle class instead of continuing this downward slide?
We think so!
At Kambria, we’re working to distribute the power and wealth of robotics to everyone! That’s no small task, but through a decentralized, global network, we believe we can build an economy that rewards those who contribute to technological advances while also providing income for manufacturers who bring these designs to life and access to those who can benefit most. The result will hopefully be a wave of paid opportunities and unburdened lives for people across the world.
With a distributed, open source economy, we believe a new middle class will emerge. This economy will empower a generation of tinkerers, inventors, developers, manufacturers and everyday people contributing to a society while earning a solid income. 3D printing alone is already jumpstarting growth for small business and Kambria will rapidly accelerate that trend.
Leveling the economic playing field and giving everyone access to this technology also comes with a ton of real world benefits!
In natural disasters, robots will help sandbag spillways, put out wildfires, clear buildings and more; ensuring that our first responders stay out of the most dangerous environments while more effectively helping those affected by tragedy. There is also tremendous potential in environmental remediation (check out this amazing TED talk on the subject). The cliff notes: humans have left a huge, unsustainable environmental footprint on the planet with all sorts of negative externalities, and robots offer some radical solutions.
There are all sorts of other unpleasant and dangerous tasks to automate, like unclogging sewers and clearing minefields. Reducing risk of human injury or exposure to harmful substances is worth the investment, especially when the return is spread far and wide.
Another phenomenon in dire need of solutions is our aging population and the projected shortage of caregivers to look out for them. Japan is already using robotics to better the lives of a “graying population”.
Our telepresence robot, Ohmni, is playing a huge part in this movement and we are so excited to see where it goes!
With Kambria, we are launching the world’s first open source, collaborative development platform for robotics, allowing everyone to create robotics solutions together. To jumpstart development we are sharing all assets from our Ohmni Robot. So, anyone with some know-how can make one on the cheap or upgrade it to open doors, pet your cat, fly? Who knows! Honestly, we can’t wait to see what you all do with it!
If you want to learn more about the Kambria platform you can check out our first post or visit kambria.io. Next week, we are going to start diving into the more technical aspects of our platform. Until then, you can always reach out and say hello here on Medium or elsewhere (Twitter, Facebook, Telegram, Discord). We love hearing from you!
For more tech articles like this one, click here.
