Robotics + Art

Robotics and automatization have begun to play a larger and larger role in the world since their invention. Even Professor Vesna, in her lecture, notes that their increasing intelligence and sophistication has contributed to their influence in the world referencing primitive forms of industrialization by way of printing presses then assembly line production. Today we see this trend of industrialization and mechanization continue with the invention of robots that perform a wide variety of tasks from cleaning homes, expediting production of goods, and now even driving (something I shall expand on later). Large retailers like Walmart have even stated they will be using robots to replace workers and lower labor costs (Humberd). Robots seem poised to replace people in tens of millions of jobs according to research showing how prominent this phenomenon of industrialization may continue to be.

Store cleaning robots replacing employees at Walmart
Courtesy of: www.cbsnews.com

            In his paper “The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction,” Walter Benjamin condemns this very event of mechanization in the world. He claims that technology and mechanical reproduction desecrated the authenticity and uniqueness of artwork. His opinions were so strong that to him, even flawless reproductions of art would lack “its presence in time and space” (Benjamin).

Autonomous cars being tested by Uber
Courtesy of: www.time.com

             True to Benjamin’s spirit, I see this mechanization and automatization as sacrilege, but in the context of one of my favorite things: cars. The invention and development of autonomous cars is one of the hottest things in the car industry today, but they would remove the entire driving element from cars and make them something of pure utility, something that takes you from point A to point B. To me, this would be absolute tragedy and the destruction of my favorite form of art: automobiles. If you don’t think cars are art please look up a Pagani Huayra, but I digress. While there are countless problems with autonomous cars from not being nearly as intelligent as a human, conflict of morality in situations, security, safety, and regulatory issues, I believe that the removal of this driving experience is far more serious (Westbrook). While I initially disagreed with Benjamin, I now see his point: while robots, automatization, and industrialization can be helpful in certain regards, there are some where they absolutely ruin everything.

The possible sad future of cars not meant for drivers at all
Courtesy of: www.medium.com

Sources:

Benjamin, Walter. “The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction.” N.p.: n.p., 1936.

Humberd, Beth. “Commentary: Are You Prepared to Be Replaced by Robots? Some at Walmart Soon Have to Be.” CNA, 20 Apr. 2019, www.channelnewsasia.com/news/commentary/automation-threaten-jobs-walmart-replace-workers-with-robots-11450482.

Russell, Jon. “Uber's Self-Driving Car Unit Raises $1B from Toyota, Denso and Vision Fund Ahead of Spin-Out.” TechCrunch, TechCrunch, 19 Apr. 2019, techcrunch.com/2019/04/18/uber-atg-1-billion-toyota-denso-vision-fund-spin-out/.

uconlineprogram. “Robotics Intro.” YouTube, YouTube, 26 Mar. 2012, https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=51&v=dJcPtv7tnKY.

Westbrook, Justin T. “2018 Was a Hard Reality Check For Autonomous Cars.” Jalopnik, Jalopnik, 19 Dec. 2018, jalopnik.com/2018-was-a-hard-reality-check-for-autonomous-cars-1831182272.