Robots of Tomorrow: Advocating for Transparency, Accessibility, and the Right to Repair
In a rapidly evolving era of robotics, where companies like Boston Dynamics are retiring legendary humanoid robots like Atlas, questions about maintenance, repair, and access to technology are becoming increasingly important. The text, filled with discussions on the challenges and potential barriers in the robotics industry, sheds light on the need for advocacy for reliable and open upgrades, replacement parts, service documentation, and diagnostics.
The concept of the “right to repair” takes center stage in these discussions, with the realization that this concept will be even more critical for robotic technology than for autos or general computing. The text highlights the complexities involved in servicing advanced robotic systems, noting the tight tolerances and proprietary software that often hinder repair and maintenance efforts.