Personal Perspective: Why Haven't the Robots Come?

Abstract

Abstract The creation and adoption of technology by nations is strongly influenced by many factors. A strong force that is often overlooked is the role of culture in technology invention, choice, development, and marketing. This study—based on a plenary address given at the Second International Conference on Human Aspects of Advanced Manufacturing and Hybrid Automation in Honolulu, August 13, 1990—explores the intimate influence that the cultures of Japan and the U.S. each have had on the invention and differential rate of adoption and use of robots in the their nations.