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4.8.05

Android's Are Human Too

Since catching the movie The Stepford Wives, I've joked with my bf about how he'd probably like it if he had a remote control to regulate what I do and say. "Off. Off! Off!!! Damn, why isn't this thing working?" Would be convenient at times I'm sure. Well, that could soon become a reality.

Japanese scientists have created the most life-like robot I've ever seen. With silicone for skin and fluttering eyelids, this robot's creator has picked up the nuances of being human and built it into a gorgeous little Japanese android. But, she won't be stealing our boyfriends just yet. The creator of the Repliee Q1Expo hasn't yet incorporated walking into the modern geisha's repertoire, though she can gesture and sense when she is being touched. Sake anyone?

5 Comments:

Blogger Juxtapose said...

Wow, this is totally something out of sci-fi and certainly worth keeping an eye on.

Interestingly enough, in most "realstic" sci-fi universes that I'm familiar with, androids do indeed become a big part of the sex industry.

We're looking at the love doll of the future.

That completely aside though, there's also what kind of ethical rights androids would have amongst regular people, would the traditional 3 laws from Asimov be incorporated into them should AI advance far enough, etc.

Interesting times.

16:52  
Blogger sookie said...

Isaac Asimov published his three laws in a short story called "Runaround" which was published by Street and Smith Publications, Inc. in 1942. The three laws were stated as follows:

1. A robot may not injure a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
2. A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

I believe the 3 laws were used in the movie Terminator. Perhaps Sean can recall?

14:39  
Blogger Juxtapose said...

I believe the first laws have been used in some form or another in many "robot" or "robot" like themed media, however The Terminator series was not one of them.

The concept behind The Terminator franchise is that the tech we build to protect ourselves turns on us, becoming self aware and seeing humans as a threat. Thus the AI defence network, SkyNet, begins the extermination of human kind.

The three laws were applied directly in another James Cameron flick, Aliens. In it, Lance Henrickson's character Bishop is governed by laws, most likely the three laws as he quotes the First Law to Ripley stating that previous model androids (Ash from Alien) were always a bit "twitcy" and didn't possess "behavioural inhibitores" or something to that effect.

16:27  
Blogger Telly said...

But do they dream of electric sheep?

16:53  
Blogger Juxtapose said...

Only if they're powered by Duracell. Otherwise they dream of pink bunnies beating a drum.

03:59  

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