If we are to send robotic assistants along with NASA astronauts to explore other planets or if we decided to send artificially intelligent robotic androids along with a set of rovers and robotic systems, then we need to practice using such net centric systems on planet Earth. But where? Perhaps Antarctica might be the place to test out teams over robotic artificially intelligent androids working together in a net centric way with rovers, equipment and other robotic systems. We need to insure that such systems can in fact deliver themselves to the target locations, unload and fully deployed equipment and carry out the mission tasks without failure. Using a remote section of the Planet, such as Antarctica we can practice until we can make the use AI systems nearly fool proof. It is not that I don't trust our scientists, robotic researchers and the best and brightest to send our artificially intelligent robotic systems to another planet. Rather in light of the cost in the unknown it makes sense to build systems that can achieve the mission accomplishment with a high enough success ratio to warrant the cost of further budget increases, which will be carried by the taxpayer. Antarctica is a very cold place and although not the coldest place considering the rest of solar system or the planets, which we will explore it is a rather hostile environment for battery life, solar collection and atmospheric conditions. This makes it perfect as a location to practice and make sure that we are indeed as good as we proclaim we are. I believe we are and I believe it is time to prove. Consider this in 2006. |
