- Science & Technology
- Innovation
- Understanding the Effects of Technology on Economics and Governance
From handling hazardous tasks, enhancing mobility, and enabling precision in fields from healthcare to manufacturing, robots are extending what humans can achieve. Breakthroughs in AI, haptics, and soft robotics are driving innovations that improve safety, expand access, and support economic growth. Yet as robotics technology scales, so do the challenges: dependence on global supply chains, shifts in workforce demands, and unresolved questions about liability and data security. With targeted investment and sound policy, the U.S. can close the robotics gap, converting technological potential into national strength across labor, infrastructure, and sustainability.
The Space Race ignited a technological revolution that has fundamentally reshaped the daily lives of nearly every individual on the planet. From global positioning system satellites and the smartphones in our pockets to water purification systems, portable defibrillators, and ultrasound machines, countless technological breakthroughs are deeply rooted in the Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union. As we stand on the brink of a new era in space technology, driven by increasing privatization and commercialization, the potential for equally transformative advancements is within reach.
RELATED SOURCES:
- Learn more about emerging technologies and the Stanford Emerging Technology Review (SETR).
- Read SETR Chapter on Space.
