This program is part of our TV Membership Campaign. Support quality programming you depend on from KPBS. Give now!
Machines are everywhere. They run our factory assembly lines and make our coffee. But robots — machines with human-like capabilities — have long been the stuff of science fiction. Until now.
Fueled by an ambitious DARPA challenge, the race is on to design a robot that can replace humans in disaster relief situations. Follow the robots — and the engineers that program them — as they strive to make their way out of the lab and into the real world.
But how capable are they, really? How close are we to a future where humanoid robots are part of our everyday lives? And what are the implications of a future with robots that can do a human’s job?
In "Rise Of The Robots," NOVA investigates the cutting-edge technologies that are advancing robotics as never before…and the enormous challenges that the robots still face.
Related Articles
Urban Transit’s Uncertain Future by Phil McKenna
Navigating the Robot Economy by Tim De Chant
Farms of the Future Will Run on Robots and Drones by Taylor Dobbs
The Evolution of the Bioinspired Robot by Rachel Nuwer
WATCH ON YOUR SCHEDULE:
The full episode is available to view on demand with KPBS Passport, video streaming for members ($60 yearly) using your computer, smartphone or tablet. We offer Passport videos on ROKU! Activate your benefit now.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION:
NOVA is on Facebook, and you can follow @novapbs on Twitter. #NOVAnext