Robot Message Therapists Taking Over
The advancement of technology has always been a double-edged sword, offering both opportunities and challenges. In recent years, the rapid pace of automation and the introduction of machines and artificial intelligence (AI) into the workplace have sparked a complex debate. On one hand, these technologies promise increased efficiency, safety, and the potential for tackling tasks that are beyond human capability. On the other hand, they pose significant challenges, particularly the displacement of jobs traditionally held by humans.
What’s new on the Robot front?
According to the NY Post, in the heart of New York City, there’s a spa where your massage might be lacking the warm touch of a human. A big apple business called Aescape is boasting the mechanical magic of a futuristic AI masseuse, promising a quicker, tech-savvy knead than your typical spa visit.
For just $60, you can snag a 30-minute session that features fancy friction-free gear while robotic arms map your body with over a million data points, all to give you a bespoke, massage. According to Aescape’s CEO, Eric Litman, these robo-hands feel eerily human as they’re heated and ready to double the work in half the time. “We think of physical touch being from another person because that’s what it’s always been,” says Litman, adding, “But when you come in our environment, you very quickly get a sense that touch in and of itself is an important thing, and the idea that it’s technological or human just kind of melts away.”
There is also a hotel in NYC called the Yotel that has an animatronic bellhop and a robot brings you room service! Has it all gone too far?
The concern that machines are taking over jobs has historical precedence, tracing back to the Industrial Revolution. However, the current wave of technological advancement is unprecedented in its speed and scope. Industries ranging from manufacturing to services are seeing an increasing incorporation of robots, AI, and other forms of automation. This shift has led to anxiety and uncertainty among workers, as machines are not only taking over manual and repetitive tasks but are also encroaching on areas requiring cognitive skills and decision-making.
