July 28, 2005
Nerd Develops Android Girlfriend
I can think of only four reasons to pursue this kind of technology. Replacing human laborers, do something because you can, replace human tension in relationships and entertainment.
Japanese scientists have unveiled the most human-looking robot yet devised - a "female" android called Repliee Q1.
Am I the only one that thinks this kind of research is mostly about women that don't nag and high tech sex toys? Anyone who has seen Stepford Wives and Westworld knows what I mean.
[Hat tip: Drudge Report]
Posted by Sid at July 28, 2005 12:05 AM | Makes You Think Hmm..
Comments
If they made a male one I bet you would be a lot less uncomfortable with the idea. I also doubt a robot would be siginificantly more useful than an inflatable doll or the other various sex toys even within the next century.
I do agree that if this were to be progressed farther over the next century or two, it might be at a state where having lifelike robots would be able to replace human workers where human relations are necessary. From what I can tell however, that is a non-mobile human-looking thing that stays seated and moves a bit. Even when it gets to the point where it may be FEASIBLE for it to ATTEMPT to do some human relations duty, a person would still be much cheaper. I imagine the planet will be much changed by the time excessivley-lifelike robots would be worthwhile for more than scientific progress, and I believe the decision about whether it is right/proper or not to use them in public businesses should be made closer to that point, if at all. (note, this statement does not include robots that would not work in human-relations posts)
Posted by: Sid A at July 28, 2005 12:14 AM
