ROBOT MINERS

On average there are 21,351 mining accidents in the United States every year- and that’s just the U.S. In addition to the fatalities, there are an enormous number of health problems, all of which are a direct result of this dangerous job.

The Idea: robot miners.

Currently, there are robots which clean our homes, replace our pets, and defend our country; thus, it is safe to say we'd be able to create a robot that can explore, drill, and retrieve elements from the earth. By doing so, we would turn mining into an extremely safe and efficient industry, eliminating thousands of deaths each year.

Opponents may argue that this would result in immediate unemployment for current human miners. However, this argument fails to account for the new positions which would be made available in the fields of robot, and robot factory, management. In addition, the overwhelming benefits to the former miners’ health - both mentally and physically - cannot be overlooked or undervalued.


To learn more about robots and robotic innovation, check out these links:

Marshall Brain's Robotic Nation Series

iRobot