Google has announced that it has begun rolling out voice-assisted route navigation for people with a visual disability. In the storm of critics the company often receives, this news can be seen as a positive development for people all over the world. Over the years, Google has processed a great amount of map data containing cities and even whole continents. Route navigation is available to us for a long time, but this information is currently not sufficient for people with impaired vision. At the moment, it is possible to let the app provide auditive information about the route that needs to be taken. These messages are convenient when travelling by car or bike but lack detailed information for disabled people by foot. Google has introduced a new function that informs and warns listeners about their surroundings (Peters, 2019). Visually disabled people often find it frightening to walk on their own in a city without knowing what happens around them (Sugiyama, 2019). They do not want to explore a new neighbourhood or need a friend to guide them. The new Google Maps guidance helps them to walk on the streets on their own. For example, auditive commandos like the following will help them to understand the situation better:

“Head west on Roppongi Street. It’s about 80 meters to your next turn.”

“Sakurada Street is ahead on your route. It’s a large road. Use caution when crossing.”

Also, the app helps to automatically point people back in the right direction after a stop. The advanced guiding helps these people to build self-confidence and increase their independence. This new feature is a great addition to the augmented reality guiding (called ‘Live View’) in Google Maps (Warren, 2019). This guiding method shows navigation arrows in the real world via a smartphone screen. The smartphone camera helps to project the real world in the app. This function is of use for people with a bad sense of direction but especially for people with a moderate field of vision. Hence, reading small text is not necessary any more. As an additional aid, Google is experimenting with animated guides like the fox in the picture that the user can follow (Sulleyman, 2019). The Live View function is worldwide available on compatible smartphones and tablets. However, the audio guidance feature is only available in the U.S. and Japan in their corresponding languages. A roll-out in other countries is planned. In conclusion, both functions are promising steps to let people do the things they want to do in life in spite of their discomfort.

Sources:
Peters, J. (2019). Google Maps now helps visually impaired people cross the street and stay on course. [online] The Verge. Available at: https://www.theverge.com/2019/10/10/20908882/google-maps-better-walking-directions-help-people-visual-impairments.

Sugiyama, W. (2019). Voice guidance in Maps, built for people with impaired vision. [online] Google. Available at: https://www.blog.google/products/maps/better-maps-for-people-with-vision-impairments/ [Accessed 13 Oct. 2019].

Sulleyman, A. (2019). Live View is the best new Google Maps feature in ages − but it might annoy strangers. [online] Trusted Reviews. Available at: https://www.trustedreviews.com/news/google-maps-live-view-best-new-feature-might-creep-strangers-3928828 [Accessed 14 Oct. 2019].

Warren, T. (2019). Google Maps AR walking directions arrive on iOS and Android. [online] The Verge. Available at: https://www.theverge.com/2019/8/8/20776247/google-maps-live-view-ar-walking-directions-ios-android-feature [Accessed 13 Oct. 2019].

Over the ages, war has always been a general theme in human existence. Conquering land and the exertion of power is still an appealing action in the heads of several leaders. Possible factors in the past which reduced the chance on starting a war were for example a lack of funding or manpower. Since the 90s robots are developing fast in becoming useful helpers in our daily lives (Allison, 2019). They are used in stores and can help elderly (Price, 2019). All good news, one might argue. This is true, but robots can also be helpful in situations where humans prefer not to participate in, like wars. As a result of this increase in robotics it is possible that robotic warfare will be common for us in the future. Robots can be a good substitute to combatants. For example, missile equipped drones can be effective alternatives to fighter jets (Atherton, 2017). This change in warfare will cause several problems for possible future combats which cannot be underestimated.

The first problem is that a person is able to identify and empathize with another human being (Human Rights Watch, 2012). Robots are not well developed in the emotional domain. This lack of a natural ‘brake’ on military action can result in dangerous behavior. Uncontrollability can also occur in case of a software bug/hack or technical problem. The second problem regarding killer robots is that it is hard to point out who is responsible for their actions. This could be the military commander who controls the robot, the programmer, the manufacturer or the robot itself. Therefore, it is important that a worldwide agreement is created to assign responsibility to the robot based on international humanitarian laws and the rules of engagement.

In the Law of International Armed Conflict is noted that an attack needs to be proportional and specific (Human Rights Watch, 2012). Implementing Artificial Intelligence (AI) in these robots can partially help to achieve this goal. But it is important to test the modifications after implementation to reduce the number of possible errors. Yet, it is almost impossible to expect that one can program all possible scenarios in a robot. It will also be difficult to assign human qualities to technology. There is a chance that the level of AI is (intentionally) going to fall behind the development of new attack features.

The third problem is that robotic battles are easier to start than contemporary warfare because there is no big need for human soldiers anymore. This can be financially and politically attractive for countries because one can defend that less military personnel encounters the risk to get killed. However, this may lower the threshold for starting more warfare.

Finally, one can tell that robots and conflicts are a difficult combination. Creating clear rules and guidelines should be the start of this new military phase. Developing thoroughly tested combat gear is step two. I hope that this large-scale development will lead to less conflicts and human victims in the future.