Robotics: The First Authoritative Report from the Ultimate High-Tech Frontier

by Marvin Minsky

Looks at the prospects for robots used in heavy industry, as house servants and aids for the handicapped, and speculates on what life with androids will be like

317 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1985

About the author

Marvin Lee Minsky (born August 9, 1927) was an American cognitive scientist in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), co-founder of Massachusetts Institute of Technology's AI laboratory, and author of several texts on AI and philosophy. Marvin Lee Minsky was born in New York City to an eye surgeon and a Jewish activist, where he attended The Fieldston School and the Bronx High School of Science. He later attended Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. He served in the US Navy from 1944 to 1945. He holds a BA in Mathematics from Harvard (1950) and a PhD in mathematics from Princeton (1954). He has been on the MIT faculty since 1958. In 1959 he and John McCarthy founded what is now known as the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. He is currently the Toshiba Professor of Media Arts and Sciences, and Professor of electrical engineering and computer science.

Reviews

[Marianne Ariem · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a collection of important essays and research papers that explore the early development of robotics and artificial intelligence. Marvin Minsky, a pioneering figure in AI, compiled works that discuss the design, control, and problem-solving capabilities of intelligent machines.

One of the key strengths of this book is its historical value. It provides insight into the foundational ideas that shaped modern robotics. The authors in this collection discuss how robots can perceive their environment, learn from experience, and make decisions. Some of these ideas are still relevant today, especially as AI continues to advance. Robotics is an excellent read for anyone interested in the evolution of AI and robotics. It offers a deep understanding of the challenges and possibilities in building intelligent machines. While it can be quite technical at times, it remains an important work for students, researchers, and enthusiasts. Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone curious about the history and future of robotics.

[Bruce Hammond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading about what they had going 30 years ago makes you wonder why there aren't more advanced robotics in existence today.