Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 2
Robots & Society
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Robots & Society
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Subject: Robotics
Class: SHS 2
Term: 1st Term
Week: 4
Grade code: 2.1.1.LI.3
Strand code: 1
Sub-strand code: 1
Content standard code: 2.1.1.CS.1
Indicator code: 2.1.1.LI.3
Theme: Principles of Robotic Systems
Subtheme: Robots & Society
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Assessment Standard: 2.1.1.AS.3 - Write publishable articles on topics related to ethics, safety and robot coexistence in society. Overview and Learning Objectives
This lesson focuses on three core ideas that are central to understanding how robots and humans can interact successfully. We will also define "Industry 4.0" as it is the driving force behind these changes. Concept 1: Ethics in Robotics
Explanation: Ethics is the study of what is morally right and wrong. In robotics, it asks: "What are the rules a robot should follow?" and "Who is responsible when a robot makes a mistake?" Unlike a simple tool like a hammer, advanced robots can make decisions. This creates complex ethical questions. Responsibility and Accountability: If a self-driving 'tro-tro' causes an accident, who is to blame? The programmer who wrote the code? The owner of the vehicle? The company that built it? The robot itself? There is no easy answer, and engineers and lawyers are debating this right now. Bias: Robots learn from data created by humans. If the data is biased, the robot will also be biased. For example, if a facial recognition system is trained mostly on pictures of light-skinned people, it may fail to correctly identify dark-skinned people. This is a major ethical concern in AI and robotics. Job Displacement: Is it ethical for a company to replace hundreds of human workers with robots to increase profit? This creates a conflict between business efficiency and the social responsibility to provide employment.
Ghanaian Context Example: Imagine a company in Tema automates its factory for processing cocoa beans, replacing 50 workers with 5 robots. The company becomes more profitable and can compete globally. However, 50 families have now lost their source of income. An ethical discussion would involve questions like: Does the company have a duty to retrain the displaced workers for new jobs (e.g., robot maintenance)? Should the government tax robots to create a fund for these workers? Concept 2: Safety in Robotics
Explanation: Safety is about preventing robots from causing harm to humans, property, or the environment. This can be broken down into two main types: Physical Safety: This concerns direct physical harm. A large industrial robot arm used in car manufacturing could seriously injure a person if they get too close. Safety measures include: Physical barriers (cages). Sensors (like light curtains) that stop the robot if a person crosses a line. Emergency stop buttons ("E-stops") that are easily accessible. Cybersecurity (Digital Safety): As robots become connected to the internet, they can be hacked. A hacker could take control of a medical robot during surgery or a drone delivering valuable goods. Safety measures include: Strong encryption for communication. Secure software that is regularly updated. Firewalls to protect the robot's network.