Final answer:
UBI offers a form of replacement income for individuals displaced by robotic automation in the labor market, potentially alleviating poverty and contributing to societal benefits like improved health.
Step-by-step explanation:
The role that universal basic income (UBI) plays in robotics is related to the economic and social impacts of automation and artificial intelligence in the labor market.
Specifically, UBI offers a potential solution to the income disruption caused by robots taking over jobs formerly held by humans. It is a form of social program that provides a stipend to all citizens to cover basic living expenses, regardless of their employment status. This could significantly alleviate poverty for those displaced by automation. Moreover, UBI can also contribute to a range of societal benefits such as improved health outcomes, as seen in historical experiments like the one carried out in Manitoba during the 1970s.
Nevertheless, the implementation of UBI also necessitates careful consideration of its effects on labor supply and economic productivity.