Original version

BBC World Service Online

The Documentary

Documentaries

Factual

Investigating global developments, issues and affairs.

BBC World Service schedule for American satellite radio and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Australasia

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa Schedule

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

BBC World Service East Asia

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

BBC World Service South Asia

BBC World Service

BBC World Service West and Central Africa Schedule

BBC World Service West and Central Africa

The Documentary: The Robots' Story

The Robots' Story

16/05/2017 GMT

BBC World Service - The Documentary, The Robots' Story

How might robots help us live, work and even love in the future?

As humans and robots increasingly co-exist in a range of settings, how might robots help us live, learn and even love in the future?

How might robots help us live, work and even love in the future? Jane Wakefield meets robots being used in hospitals factories and even bedrooms and she navigates the way humans are using machines. 

In California, Jane interviews Harmony, a sex robot who will be for sale at the end of the year. She hears how some people are forming relationships with their artificial intelligence, and asks what an increasing dependence on robotics means for our human interaction. 

Jane speaks to the creators of Real Doll the sex robots, and to robotic ethicists as well as international expert Noel Sharkey, who argues we need international rules to govern the use of robotics urgently. Can robots be our friends? Jane hears from all sides of the debate.

(Photo credit: BBC)

Accessibility links

Programme Index

The Documentary

The Robots' Story

Genres

Brand

BBC World Service Online

About BBC World Service