The billionaire bunker bodyguard problem is solved...
Unitree G1, OpenAI/Figure 02, Tesla Optimus Gen 2. The accelerationists seem to be starting to create the perfect post-collapse bodyguard...
Unitree G1, OpenAI/Figure 02, Tesla Optimus Gen 2. The accelerationists seem to be starting to create the perfect post-collapse bodyguard...
What am I talking about?
Take a look at some of the recent developments in humanoid robotics below, these are not just some experimental lab tech boston dynamics type robots, these are being positioned as a sleek, high tech consumer product.
Figure:
https://www.figure.ai/
Unitree:
https://m.unitree.com/g1/
Tesla:
https://www.tesla.com/en_eu/AI
What normal consumer needs a humanoid robot? Where is this supposed demand coming from? Most people seem to recoil at the mention of AI, so why do these companies seem to think there is an appetite for iRobot-esqe products?
The bodyguard problem
Back in 2018 Douglas Rushkoff wrote an article about an ultra-private VIP conference he atteneded to speak as a futurist.
He was struck by a question from a wealthy individual who had almost finished completing his bunker:
“How do I maintain authority over my security force after the Event?”
There is a few concerning parts to this question:
“Maintain authority” - Clearly the reality of post-apocolypse is not lost on the invidual, and the fact that money will not help them retain their position in the post apocolyptic world
“Security force” - Knowing full well how dangerous the end of civilisation may be, the individual has the intent to hire a force to keep him, his property & his family safe. (Security force is pretty ambiguous about whether or not he means humans or robots)
“The Event“ - A scenario likely defining economic collapse (the end of the world), that seems to be a realistic and inevitable possibility in the eyes of this individual
Here’s how that went down according to Douglas:
The Event. That was their euphemism for the environmental collapse, social unrest, nuclear explosion, unstoppable virus, or Mr Robot hack that takes everything down.
...
This single question occupied us for the rest of the hour. They knew armed guards would be required to protect their compounds from the angry mobs. But how would they pay the guards once money was worthless? What would stop the guards from choosing their own leader? The billionaires considered using special combination locks on the food supply that only they knew. Or making guards wear disciplinary collars of some kind in return for their survival. Or maybe building robots to serve as guards and workers – if that technology could be developed in time.
Douglas Rushkoff
(How tech's richest plan to save themselves after the apocalypse, Guardian)
Or maybe building robots to serve as guards and workers – if that technology could be developed in time.
Oh boy, I think the solution to the bodyguard problem has been discovered, and it's being developed by modern AI & robotics companies. Now I’m not one for conspiracies or paranoia about the ruling elite but lets be real here: who is this for? Is there a market, use case or demand for humanoid robots for consumers? With the exception of a few unsavoury industries & the military, this whole play seems less like a product and more like an insurance plan.
It seems the people in charge of these companies and the teams building these robots have convinced themselves that there is a consumer demand for humanoid robots and are effectively getting the R&D for their end of the world bodyguards subsidised under the guise of a new future where we don't have to do our own laundry or home maintenance.
What are your thoughts on humanoid robots? Do you see a market or ethical use case for these robots?
This is satire incase you didn’t know.