Your Next Colleague Could Be An Embodied Robot

Researchers at University of Lincoln are developing virtual reality systems where humans can remotely control harvesting robots through bodily demonstrations. This technology, already used in some grocery stores and convenience chains, could transform dangerous fieldwork and delivery jobs by allowing workers to operate robots from safe environments. While potentially making hazardous jobs safer and addressing labor shortages, concerns include wage undercutting through offshore operators, immigrant job displacement, worker isolation, and the eventual replacement of human controllers with AI.