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11/06/2011 GMT

How robotics and other technology is replacing humans, and why, sometimes, it may be a good thing.

Imagine sitting down for a coffee in the sun, and finding that the waiter who brings it to you is an immaculately dressed, smiling robot. Science fiction? Or just round the corner? In this week’s programme, we welcome one of the world’s leading robotics scientists, Professor Henrik Christensen.

Indian writer Siddhartha Deb has a warning of the cost that hi-speed, hi-tech advances can impose on social cohesion. And from the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, Director Stephen Hopper highlights the benefits of advanced computing power for the natural world.

Illustration by Emily Kasriel: socially isolated robots distinguishing between plants in a hi-tech context.

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41 minutes

Last on

Sun 12 Jun 201114:05GMT
BBC World Service Online

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04/06/2011 GMT

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18/06/2011 GMT

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Chapters

  • Part 1

    Henrik Christensen: Robots are coming

    Duration: 15:26

  • Siddartha Deb

    Siddartha Deb: Secluded new India

    Duration: 07:34

  • Part 2 60 Second Idea

    60 second Idea: Anaesthetise airline passengers

    Duration: 04:54

  • Stephen Hopper

    Stephen Hopper: Machines cannot replace botanists

    Duration: 12:35

Broadcasts

  • Sat 11 Jun 201108:05GMT
    BBC World Service Online
  • Sat 11 Jun 201121:05GMT
    BBC World Service Online
  • Sun 12 Jun 201101:05GMT
    BBC World Service Online
  • Sun 12 Jun 201114:05GMT
    BBC World Service Online

Podcast

  • The Forum

    The programme that explains the present by exploring the past