ALL SCI-FI

[larryfoster]

"3D Printed Robots Will Become Hospital and Museum Workers in Lincolnshire, UK, According to Doctor"
http://3dprint.com/47822/3d-printed-robots-hospitals/

"You would think that, given the prevalence of robots with humanoid form in popular culture — particularly in literature and film — we humans prefer that our robots resemble us. That's probably not the case, however, suggests Dr. John Murray of the University of Lincoln in Lincolnshire, UK. Dr. Murray, who specializes in robotics, has found through ongoing research that people may not actually be particularly comfortable with robots that are overtly lifelike."

My rule is... if it looks like a machine (even with a human-ish face) - then it should perform perfectly. But if it is designed to be indistinguishable from a human (an android), then it can have human faults and make mistakes — like humans do.

For doing most human jobs (ie: hospitals, museums, etc.)... I prefer the 'machine' style (like the InMoov). But continue development of the 'android' style for romantic applications. Computer-based personality displays (now apparently called Personal Assistants), fall in between, IMO. They should appear human, but perform flawless.
_________________
Tired of waiting on NASA to adopt Flying Saucer technology! Sick of human political-representative government! I want 1970: COLOSSUS (The Forbin Project) A.I. - as World Control government! Providing flying saucer tech, "For the betterment of man."

[Bud Brewster]

Interesting ideas, Larry.

My own feelings on this subject are shaped by two personal concerns.

#1 - I love well designed machinery: cars, planes, spaceships, and -- of course -- robots. But I like my robots to be well designed machines, not surrealistic humans.

#2 - Semi, quasi, sort of, kinda people that are actually robots creep me out. They remind me too much of Talking Tina, that haunted doll in the old Twilight Zone episode. (The worst robots are those with artificial skin and hair, with imitation facial expressions.)

So, this just looks like a bad version of that miracle of nature, the human body.



And this looks like a silly caricature of a trumpet player.



But this looks like a walkin' talkin' machine with glorious lines and shapes and colors and textures.



There are, of course, exceptions. Like, I love this guy!


_________________
____________
Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[larryfoster]

Talking Tina creeped me out too! But, I seem to have more tolerance for the 'uncanny valley' syndrome than other people. The way some people object to it, makes me wonder how they can tolerate other people with ANY difference or handicaps.

If not too extreme (like the robot dance)... I would see an android as another person - with strange mannerisms to get used to.

If your 1st robot (android) was life-sized and fully physical articulated, and I had mastery of her programming... I could accept her as a life-mate. And I would tolerate her occasional minor mistakes - as I would have to from a human. Sometimes, mannerism 'quarks' are even cute. Would be nice to have a choice of other human-race representations too.

The others you posted are all just machines to me - even the "I Robot" with the extreme human-ish face. From them... I would expect no emotions, slave obedience, and perfect functions of brains and body. Otherwise, they are in need of shut-down and repair - IMO.
_________________
Tired of waiting on NASA to adopt Flying Saucer technology! Sick of human political-representative government! I want 1970: COLOSSUS (The Forbin Project) A.I. - as World Control government! Providing flying saucer tech, "For the betterment of man."

[Bud Brewster]

Yes, I've noticed that the big difference between us is that you embrace the idea of investing your emotions in an artificial person.

I'm the reverse. I don't want a machine that pretends to be human. I don't want a machine that makes me forget it's a machine. I don't want a machine that imitates human emotions or heartfelt devotion.

I don't want a Stepford Wife. But I ever get one, you borrow her any time. I'm generous with my "things".

[Robert (Butch) Day]

It's unlikely that there will ever be robots/droids/computers with human emotions. Emotions are created by glands and are part of our survival mechanisms. They are highly flexible.

Whereas robots/droids/computers are limited to their programming and cannot have the capacity for all of the variables that would be necessary to mimic every emotional combination.
_________________
Common Sense ISN'T Common

[larryfoster]

Bud... a Stepford Wife is the right idea for me - if not produced by the (un-necessary) immoral methods of the 'Mens Association', of that movie.



"Cherry 2000" had the right approach - a mass-produced consumer product. No murder of original human involved!



===========

Butch... some gland-based emotions should not be mimicked. Like those of evil intent.
_________________
Tired of waiting on NASA to adopt Flying Saucer technology! Sick of human political-representative government! I want 1970: COLOSSUS (The Forbin Project) A.I. - as World Control government! Providing flying saucer tech, "For the betterment of man."

[Pye-Rate]

I see that no one appears to be familiar with the cultural drive behind the development of humanoid robots. The Japanese are desperate. The problem they face is all social. Aging population + tight immigration policy.

Though the Japanese appear to be a very open society they are race/culturally insular. They see 40 years down the road when 60% of the population will be elders. Werehousing elders like is out of the question. Hence the development of humanoid carebots.

Unlike other countries they expect a post babyboom population of 40% current levels. Can't do that without a bot population min of 3 to 1 with humans.

They are trying maintain their cultural norm of respect and care for the elderly. This is how they avoid the cultural clash Europe has with immigration from North Africa.

[Bud Brewster]

[Robert (Butch) Day]

[larryfoster]

Huh? I did not exclude healthcare functions from my descriptions. I said 'life-mate'. Life includes all, until death.

[Eadie]

I agree. My Godfather, Butch, is getting there and is getting very grumpy in his old age. Most of his friends are either dead or live a long ways away. He lives almost 20 miles from Arlington and refuses to give up his 11 1/2 acre property. We have to travel there at least once a week to make certain that he's OK.

[Bud Brewster]

________________________________

Eadie, he's lucky to have you looking out for his well being that way. If the invent the "transfer booths" described in Larry Niven's novels, would you mind zipping over to North Carolina occasionally to be sure I'm still kickin'?
_________________
____________
Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)