[mkane848]

I disagree with your analysis in the first sentence on a fundamental level, so I think we may just not see eye to eye on this. I think it's more reflective of the issues of crony capitalism and exploitation of the working class than as a litmus test of whether automation has "made it" yet.

Self checkout at the grocery store is still a mess that requires frequent intervention from on-hand employees, and even the most advanced system still usually requires someone there for insurance. Hell, the best minds in the country still can't get cars to drive themselves without someone on deck to pull the plug if it all goes tits up.

[torgian]

Yeah, this is a true statement. I live in east Asia and travel to Japan a few times a year. They have self-checkout, but there is always someone there to help. I have seen these people help everyone at the self-checkout every time I went to the stores that have them.

Automation is nice, but it's not smart enough. Not yet at least.