Neurocomputational robots-the primary industry of the next millennium

During the eight millennia of our existence as a civilized species, the primary industries have been food production, shelter construction, personal goods manufacturing, and military equipment building. This is about to change. During the next millennium the primary industry will be the manufacturing of general-purpose robots. These robots will then be used to carry out much of the work currently done by humans in the today´s primary industries. These robots will be based primarily upon neurocomputing technology. This new primary industry will begin soon, although it may take hundreds of years to mature. In this talk the technology elements that will be essential for the development of this new industry are discussed. It is argued that most of the ingredients for the first generation of mass-market robots are probably now in place. A possible near-term development path for this industry is described.