tech

Increasingly human-like robots spark fascination and fear

26 Comments
By Clara Wright

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© 2018 AFP

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.


26 Comments
Login to comment

Unless these "robots" are controlled by humans, AI is no where good enough to strike fear into anyone. Everything is programmed and these so called robots look real only. AI is still very far off from becoming a reality. The problem is.... too many companies are saying they're using AI when it is only a souped up algorithm designed to search for a pattern out of seemingly unrelated data.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Programmable girlfriends here we come....there’s a self made distopia waiting for those that go this route! The beginning of a subspecies. Emerging markets! 

Just imagine some of the brand names that are gunna be attached to these beauties!

The ‘ She’ll Never Judge You Judy’ model とか. Quiet , but perky.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

In Japan, robots like Erica are already used as receptionists.

For real ? So I may have encountered one and not realized it ? But then again Erica the android was supposed to be a news anchor on Japanese television by now also...

3 ( +4 / -1 )

The only way I see anything really close to "AI" becoming a reality within the next 50 years would be augmented AI with a biological core. Yes.... a souped up human brain hooked into a computer with massive amounts of sensors and data. It would also be interesting to hook up say.... a whale's brain or dolphin for that matter.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Programmable girlfriends here we come......

Yeah, better watch out, when they have robot-guys come online.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

I'll be worried about the machines taking over when I no longer have to clear paper jams.

"For instance Atlas, a humanoid robot made by Boston Dynamics, can run on different types of surfaces."

Does Atlas dream of electric sheep?

When it comes at you with an ax you will be very very unhappy! When it pulls you out of a burning building you will be very very happy. It is not inherently good or evil.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I cannot wait for robot girlfriends to become reality.

Life is unfair to guys not 180+ tall and super handsome. Robots will be the great equalizer

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Erica is hot.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

The T-800s look way more life-like than these robots.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

The saddest thing about this amazing technology is, it is being used for the sex industry. I’m sure we will see legal weddings to cyber-partners in the not too distant future.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

I would rather use robots or other technologies as customer service than the pathetic humans. E.g Mcdonalds on Motorways (there aren't healthy food shops on highways in Europe, so when starving or out of homemade food, have to take fast food, what can i do, but at least i don't have to deal with the human staff)

1 ( +3 / -2 )

I would rather use robots or other technologies as customer service than the pathetic humans. E.g Mcdonalds on Motorways (there aren't healthy food shops on highways in Europe, so when starving or out of homemade food, have to take fast food, what can i do, but at least i don't have to deal with the human staff)

Here in the UK we have motorway service stations which are more like petrol stations combined with supermarkets or shopping centres... you can get whatever grub you're after. Maybe it's different in mainland Europe...

The Erica bot is certainly attractive, but she isn't realistic. If you saw her in a crowd with real women she's stand out as more like a game character.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

SaikoPhysco: bang on, and exactly what I’ve been saying for a while. Misuse of the term AI is so rampant the meaning has changed for most. Siri is not “AI”, it is programming, and these robots are, too. That’s why I chuckle at people (well, not the only reason) who say they “have conversations with” their phone or computer, etc. it’s not intelligence, but preprogrammed responses. AI, if and when it comes, will be our final downfall, as Hawking and others have stated.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Well, more than a few of the men and women I have seen at department stores, various reception desks, etc., could just as well be robots. Creepy if I think about it.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

At last a solution to the fear generated by the Guilt by Accusation Card.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

We can be thankful that Erica the Employer-droid will not blow a fuse when she is ghosted by frightened staff.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Guilt by Accusation Card. There will be some lunatic fringe that will protest.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Is it too early to start the 'Human rights' conversation, given that so many seem to see these creations as eventually competing with us? But, then, that's us, afraid that of anything that may have behavior similar to our own and unable to imagine anything other than life-threatening competition. Many professional imaginators have presented us with various versions of 'intelligent robots' but none have the imagination of Asimov's Three Laws and his view these two generations later still dominates anything recent. Yep, Mankind's greatest fear, that something may turn out to be like us. Said another way, Mankind's greatest unconsciously perceived enemy is Mankind. It's not the robots, it's the Creator.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

too many companies are saying they're using AI when it is only a souped up algorithm designed to search for a pattern out of seemingly unrelated data

Is that not more or less the basic definition of AI? Perceive and interpret the environment and take actions to achieve a goal. I think there's a long road between basic AI and an advanced form that is something like natural intelligence. (I'm thinking of Iain M Banks novels where artificial minds refer to droids as mere AIs.)

and exactly what I’ve been saying for a while

Perhaps your program is in an infinite loop. Try restarting.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Not tonight, honey, my batteries are low.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

JapanFan:

Not tonight, honey, my batteries are low

Ha ha. That's a good one.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites