Chasing Our Science Fiction Future

Engineers and researchers, particularly in the field of robotics and human-computer interaction, are often inspired by science fiction futures depicted in novels, on television, and in the movies. For example, Honda's Asimo humanoid robot is said to have been directly inspired by the Astroboy manga series.

In turn, public perception of science is also shaped by science fiction. For better or worse, broad technological expectations of the future (aesthetic and otherwise) are largely set by exposure to science fiction in popular culture. These depictions have a direct impact on attitudes toward new technology.

We review some common tropes of science fiction (including the idea of the "singularity" and killer robots) and examine why certain archetypes might persist while others fall by the wayside. From the perspective of a scientist-turned-sci-fi-author, we discuss factors that go into the creation of science fiction and how these factors may or may not correspond to the needs and wants of the actual science community.

Exposure to science fiction influences scientists and the general public, both to build and adopt new technologies. The inextricable link between science and science fiction helps to determine how and when those futures arrive.