We have always feared the self-aware robot: technical and philosophical arguments for giving them “reason”

Researchers are debating how to give robots practical self-awareness so they can better understand their surroundings and handle incidents more effectively.

Ricardo Sanz and others are exploring an operational form of self-perception that helps robots identify what matters, anticipate problems, and act more coherently.

The discussion revisits earlier theoretical ideas, including John McCarthy’s notion of machines aware of their own mental states.

The debate could shape future robotics and AI by improving autonomy, adaptation, and decision-making in real-world situations.