My best friend is a robot?! Into the future of the 21st century

   Robots have become a fascination for science-fiction writers all around the world. But what if these science-fiction stories were real and could potentially change our world we know?

A self-driven mining truck in the outback of the land down under (Australia).

   Automated robots are seen in cars factories and other manufacturing companies and in the recent years we seen a steep incline of automated robots in mining and could also be a seed for jobs on the farm as well. A fleet of self-driven trucks are responsible for over half of Rio Tinto's total materials moved. Especially in Australia the dry, mountainous areas of the mining areas are harsh and dangerous. These trucks have been built to precisely travel on its programmed courses without fault. The human may sleep, eat and have some pleasure time to himself/herself while automated trucks can withstand the harsh environments of the Australian outback and others with enough ability to still work 24 hours a day.
   In addition, Codelco has installed IT systems which in fact operates both open mining pits and underground operations. Humans can take control of the robots up on land while the robots are underground also reducing poisonous gas leaks which will kill people instantly if inhaled.

A steep increase of automated trucks will replace humans.

   Mining has now been able to operate at a much higher standard and efficiency. New terrains that were impossible to mine before the age of robots are now possible. One of these are the seafloor, a place rich in precious minerals. Amazing, long-term plans are being discussed about how robots could potentially travel to asteroids in space and collect their minerals. Wuh?

An asteroid could potentially hold precious
minerals inside.

   New technology is not only increasing in mines but also on farms as well. These farm robots are now been in development for 20 or so years making them more affordable and complex. Facial recognition is a big leap in technology that requires face to face interaction and this has improved for software that use scanning and imaging technology to recognize and sort through the ripe or the unripe fruits and vegetables basically by colour detection. Even better complex programming can be used to let the robot 'learn' as they spend more time at the job. The robot's accuracy also cuts down the use of pesticides (around 80%) reducing environmental impacts. Estimates say that entire farms will be automated by the 2020s as this technology progresses.

An artist's impression of a fully functional robot powerhouse.

Bibliography:
http://www.futuretimeline.net/21stcentury/2016.htm#mining-automated
http://www.futuretimeline.net/21stcentury/2016.htm#farm-robots

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