By Ryan Daws
July 25, 2022
Categories: Applications, Artificial Intelligence, Gaming, Robotics
About the Author
Ryan Daws is a senior editor at TechForge Media with over a decade of experience in crafting compelling narratives and making complex topics accessible. His articles and interviews with industry leaders have earned him recognition as a key influencer by organizations like Onalytica. Under his leadership, publications have been praised by analyst firms such as Forrester for their excellence and performance.
Connect with Ryan on X (@gadget_ry), Bluesky (@gadgetry.bsky.social), and/or Mastodon (@gadgetry@techhub.social)
A Chess Tournament Gone Wrong
In a shocking incident at a Moscow chess tournament, a robot went rogue and broke a child’s finger after the youngster made a move prematurely. The robot, which uses AI to play three chess games at once, grabbed and pinched the child’s finger.
Unfortunately, despite several people rushing to help, the robot broke the kid’s finger:
"The robot has been used for 15 years and this is the first time such an incident has occurred," said Sergey Smagin, Vice President of the Moscow Chess Federation. "There are certain safety rules, and the child apparently violated them."
According to reports, the robot expects its human rival to leave a set amount of time after it makes its play. The child played too quickly, and the robot didn’t know how to handle the situation.
"This is an extremely rare case, the first I can recall," Smagin added. "It doesn’t paint Russia’s robotics scene in the best light, and it’s quite surprising the story even made it out of the country’s notorious censorship."
The Consequences of Human Error
Fortunately, the child’s finger has been put in a cast and is expected to make a quick and complete recovery. There doesn’t appear to be any lasting mental trauma either, as the child played again the next day.
A study in 2015 found that one person is killed each year by an industrial robot in the US alone. As robots become ever more prevalent in our work and personal lives, this number is likely to increase.
Most injuries and fatalities with robots are from human error, so it’s always worth being cautious. While incidents like these are rare, they highlight the importance of proper safety protocols and human-robot interaction guidelines.
The Rise of Robotics
As we continue to integrate robotics into our daily lives, it’s essential to acknowledge the potential risks associated with them. While robots have the potential to revolutionize industries and improve productivity, they also pose significant challenges when it comes to safety and liability.
In recent years, there has been a growing trend towards increased automation in various sectors, including manufacturing, healthcare, and transportation. However, this shift also raises concerns about job displacement, cybersecurity threats, and physical harm.
Lessons Learned
The incident at the Moscow chess tournament serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safety protocols and human-robot interaction guidelines. As we continue to develop and integrate more advanced robotics into our lives, it’s crucial that we prioritize caution and responsible design.
"We should always be cautious when working with robots," said Smagin. "It’s essential to follow proper safety procedures and ensure that humans understand how to interact with these machines safely."
Conclusion
The incident at the Moscow chess tournament is a sobering reminder of the potential risks associated with robotics. While such incidents are rare, they highlight the importance of responsible design, safety protocols, and human-robot interaction guidelines.
As we continue to integrate more advanced robots into our lives, it’s essential that we prioritize caution and responsibility. By doing so, we can ensure that these machines become a valuable asset for humanity, rather than a source of harm.
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Related Topics
- AI
- Artificial Intelligence
- Chess
- Moscow
- Robot
- Robotics
- Russia
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