The second decade of the 21st century will see human-size, ultralight utility robots with one arm that can perform many simple jobs. By 2020, robots will be able to learn and make choices–no need for reprogramming. By 2030, robots will be able to anticipate outcomes by constantly running simulations. These bots will also understand emotions and predict their own effect on people. There’s no reason to doubt, says Moravec, that by midcentury, robots will be the intellectual equals of humans. Maybe even their superiors.
