MEMO

To: The MCI Members of Staff

From:

Date: February 14, 2019

Subject: Incident Report on Ser-vo Bot 84 Malfunction

The notice targets the staff of MCI following the unfortunate incident in which a robotic system malfunctioned and injected members of staff with a sedative. The event is regrettable, and the report focuses on addressing its possible cause.

Robots are designed to perform a specificfunction and may fail to do so in case of a malfunction due to several factors. Ser-vo Bots 84 is an artificially intelligent robot that is designed to serve lattes. The robot failed to do its duty but instead tossed robotic cockroaches and mosquitoes. Artificial intelligent gives robots the ability to learn from their environment. The cockroaches and mosquitoes are robotic bugs can be triggered in response to external stimuli. The bugs are fashioned after birds, insects and other small animals. They act like a spy drone and can take off and land anywhere. The micro-drones have a lethal punch equipped with an array of weapons and sensors. Ser-vo Bot 84 released lethal micro-drones in response to the undesirable effect that may have caused by spyware, bugs or other malfunctions(Kaivo-Oja, Roth & Westerlund, 2017). The robot felt threatened and injected toxins to its supposed enemies who members of the MCI staff.  AI systems are designed to learn from humans and can do so by watching humans through cameras and other sensors. Although it is possible to develop machines that are incredibly competent at attaining defined objectives, the fact that they will cause accidents in trying to achieve the goals should not be underestimated.

One of the possible cause of the incident could be hacking. Apart from the fear that anthropomorphic gadgets will develop their mind, human hackers are considered to be a significant threat when they take control of the devices. Hacker attacks can be generated against robots thereby causing harm to the environment. A hack can change critical safety setting, send commands that can pose a hazard. Hackers can infiltrate robotic software that has no real authentication. Hackers can install malicious updates. Security vulnerability makes hackers gain unauthorized access to the operating system of the robot and overwrite the safety configuration files that play a critical role in constraining the robot from causing harm.

The incident of robotic accidents is on the rise. The devices seem to be susceptible to more dangerous malfunction. Notable incidences that have been caused by robotic failures include destruction and smashing of things and even death.  Necessary actions should be taken with the aim of avoiding the malfunctions. Noticing the glitches is critical before they cause any trouble(Kaivo-Oja, Roth & Westerlund, 2017). Robotic faults can be caused by the following: human error; control panels; mechanical failures; environmental resources; power system disruption; and wrong installation.

Human errors can be as a result of original programming or connection of live input-output sensors to microprocessors. It can also occur due to performing a wrong activation of the control panel. Errors in the control panels are caused by robotic software or electromagnetic and frequency interference leading to robot failure. Control panel related malfunctions can also be caused by hydraulic, electrical and pneumatic sub controls associated with the robot system. Mechanical failure can occur in case the operating programs cannot account for cumulative mechanical part failure leading to impaired functioning. Environmental resources include electromagnetic frequency interference that causes undesirable effect on the function of a robot leading to potential injury or damage of property (Kaivo-Oja, Roth & Westerlund, 2017). Environmental hazards should be monitored before starting a robot. The disruption of the power system can be caused by hydraulic, electrical, and pneumatic power sources malfunction, and this can lead to the interruption of electrical signals thereby increasing the risk of fire. A wrong installation can occur based on the design, equipment layout and the requirements of arobotic system. It can cause malfunctioning of a robot if done wrong.

References

Kaivo-Oja, J., Roth, S., & Westerlund, L. (2017). Futures of robotics. Human work in digital transformation. International Journal of Technology Management, 73(4), 176-205.

 
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