Great Expectations: Differences between Robots and Humans

Introduction

How much time do you spend on routine tasks? Are there certain things that you do multiple times each day? Automating your routine will take your productivity to the next level. This is not only for business people, but for people in all walks of life. There are a number of differences between robots and humans and reasons why you might have been thinking of doing so at this point, and it may have been a while since you have been hearing about it! Furthermore, it’s entirely possible that you’re a bit overwhelmed by the idea, and simply aren’t sure where to start!

Backend automation and robot-assisted processes, as the name implies, are guided by rules and algorithms as well as with the help of artificial intelligence.  The creative component of the creative process may be applied to the design of rules and algorithms.  Although robots are not a substitute for people with creative thinking, they may help people with creative thinking to be more creative and flexible in coming up with solutions to problems.

First, let’s understand what we mean when we talk about robot thinking or bot thinking.

Table of Content

1. Can a computer bot think like a human? 
2. Similarities and differences between robots and humans
3. Using context and experience
4. Error handling
5. What robots do better than people
6. Repeating the same tasks many times

Can a computer bot think like a human? 

Essentially, Robotic process automation (RPA) bots are software programs that automate repetitive computer tasks. Depending on how you configure them, RPA bots can process a wide range of tasks, from the most simple to the most complex ones. All its actions are deterministic. So, if we use the conventional understanding of ‘thinking’ as producing thoughts or passing judgment, the bot doesn’t possess this ability at all.

The way both humans and computers process information is fundamentally different. Computers, through the use of algorithms, are able to use data to learn how to process information about the world. Humans, however, are not. Our brains operate on the basis of probability rather than certainty. We use our senses to refine our understanding about the world around us. Then, we make decisions based on the information we have. A bot does not possess this ability because it is a computer.

While a cognitive robots and humans comparison would be an interesting topic, in this post we will focus on humans vs. RPA robots.

Similarities and differences between robots and humans

There are several similarities and differences between robots and humans. Robots and humans share many similarities. Humans and robots use electric current to move and process data, and we both have similar skeletal and muscular systems. There are several differences between robots and humans. Humans cannot directly manipulate objects and we cannot move as fast as robots; but we can see colors and we have a sense of touch. Robots can directly manipulate objects and can move much faster than humans; but they cannot feel and cannot see color like we can.

In short, the similarities are that they are both capable of movement, actions, and communication. The differences are that they both have different purposes and functions, humans have a higher level of intelligence, and they can both apprehend and perceive.

Using context and experience

Robot brains are fundamentally different from human brains. Programmers cannot simply write an algorithm to make a robot do what you want it to do. A robot has experience, but not context. A robot has experience with the things in its immediate environment, but it does not understand the things in its environment. A robot can never understand the things in its environment in the same way that humans can. 

Unlike humans, robots do not have experience and do not understand context. They are programmed to complete tasks, whether they are appropriate or not. This is one of the many reasons why robots are not the best candidates for replacing humans for certain jobs. Since they are not trained or programmed to handle social interactions, robots are not suitable for jobs that require the ability to communicate with other people, such as bartenders, teachers, and caretakers. Though it is possible to train a robot to complete a task without causing harm, programming requires knowing what you want the robot to do, which is not always an easy task. For example, humans are naturally programmed to obey human commands, but robots are programmed to obey computer commands.

Error handling

Because a robot follows the instructions to the letter, but doesn’t understand context, a robot can quickly get bogged down when a step in a process is carried out in a different order. For example, a robot might be given instructions to take an object from a supermarket shelf, but without context it may misunderstand the instructions, thinking they mean to take the shelf from the supermarket. Because a robot is not designed to assess situations and change its behavior based on context, it will continue to perform the instructions literally, to its own detriment. People, on the other hand, are flexible and can easily deal with changing context, and can also deal with unfamiliarity, allowing them to deal with new situations and problems with a sense of aplomb.

Moreover, as a robot follows the provided instructions literally, but not by assessing context constantly and changing its behavior based on context like a person does, bots are not good at dealing with unexpected circumstances, which can lead to errors. To mitigate the risk of errors, you need to thoroughly test the bot on scenarios that are similar to the production environment.

What robots do better than people

Robots are designed to perform rote tasks such as assembly line work. They also excel in performing tasks that are dangerous, dirty, dull, or difficult for humans to do for unforeseeable amounts of time. Robotic labour has been in factory environments and seen most recently in shopping and grocery stores. With the recent development of artificial intelligence and machine learning, robots and androids will only improve the more we use and program them.

Also, robots do a lot of things better than people and we can’t be mad at them for it. Robots never get distracted. They never get bored. They never get fatigued. Robots are always ready for a task and will complete it with the highest quality possible. While robots may excel in quality, they can’t teach our society about life and compassion and that’s why we’ll always need the human touch. We’ll always need people to make us feel like we’re human and we’re not alone. Machines can’t do that. I hope we never forget what makes us human.

Repeating the same tasks many times

While Automation is a well-known field, many people still don’t know how to use it. Especially in these days of remote collaboration, there are plenty of tasks where automating would make them much easier. To make sure your automation is working correctly, it has to be tested. Here are some tips to make sure your automation testing will be successful. When you’re testing, the first thing to do is to invent a test script that will execute your automation tasks. These scripts can be done manually, but other times you should create a bot that will automatically run it. It will save time and effort for other developers.

To automate a repetitive task, you need a script that will interact with a UI. A script is a list of instructions that a computer reads and can be modified to defeat complex security features. This is because when the code is written, the functionality of the site is known. This is not the case with scriptless automation. To automate a task, follow these steps: 1) Identify the task you want done. 2) Find the right tool for the job. 3) Find the right application to use. 4) Create a script that will allow the tool to interact with the application UI. 5) Run the script and watch it do the work.

Conclusion

Robots and humans are both great! It can be hard to tell them apart sometimes. One major difference is that humans have working brains and the ability to understand and interact with the world around them and choose what they think and do. On the other hand, robots don’t have working brains and can’t choose what they do or what to think. Humans also have the ability to turn into robots in the future, while robots will never turn into humans.

Key Takeaway

Beyond the idea of differing robots and humans, automation is an important concept when it comes to backend processes. You’ve spent a lot of time and money getting your company up and running. Now it’s time to automate what you can to save time and money and free up your employees to focus their time and attention on the most important matters. There are many benefits to automating your backend processes and with modern automation technology, you can get the most out of your employees and get your company on the road to success!

Thanks to the latest advancements in technology, small business owners now have an easy way to automate their business. No Code platforms like Integromat enable small businesses to build powerful tools with no programming knowledge. To understand even better how to automate your tasks and how to choose the best approach for your backend automation, take our Integromat course in our online training center – Integromasters.