For as long as I’ve been watching Sci-Fi movies, filmmakers have endowed robots with some form of personality. Sometimes they are evil, sometimes kind, sometimes neither. Occasionally they even evolve. In any case, the artists have used speech, expressions, size and form, actions, etc., to induce an emotional response in their viewers.
One of my favorites is HAL from 2001: A Space Odyssey. Not exactly a robot, but even in ordinary conversation, I must admit, HAL creeps me out. Check it out here in a clip from the movie: HAL Conversation. I know I might be influenced by what happens in the film, but HAL’s speech stays consistent and creepy.
But other times, even-keeled robot speech isn’t so creepy. Sonny in iRobot doesn’t seem so creepy but still uses that even-toned speech pattern. Take a listen: Sonny Conversation. You may have a different take on it, but at least give the nod to some excellent voice work from Alan Tudyk (IMDB Page).
OK, so this could go on and on. Maybe I’ll write a BLOG on all my favorite robots, but for today, I’d like to consider how robot designers are using form, speech, and expression to elicit feelings when interacting with their creations.
A few years ago, a complex, social robot named Sophia was introduced to the world. She could mimic facial expressions, body English and gestures and answer complex, subjective questions. At one point, she was “interviewed” at the UN: Sophia’s Speech. The creation of Sophia is, of course, an impressive technological feat and a milestone in the creation of human-like robots. Still, though—there is a creepiness factor. I’m not sure meeting her in person would engender any warm fuzzy feelings. I’d be impressed and just a bit uncomfortable—particularly if she knew my secrets. One question I’d like to ask—were they striving towards duplicating human likeness and intentionally eschewing forcing Sophia to be explicitly likable?
On the other hand, what’s your reaction to this little guy? Meet Pepper. What’s not to like? Fun, non-threatening, likable. The designers found the triggers for our emotional responses.
So to some questions:
How should we react to features intentionally designed into a robot to make them likable or more human? Does this change as robots become more human-like? Is it any different from any other device designed to attract our attention and elicit engagement? [Screen time issues anybody?]
When do we stop seeing them as machines and have feelings towards them, even at the level of pets?
How would you react to a robot being intentionally damaged by their owner?
How do we feel about sending clever robots into dangerous situations?
When will robots become sophisticated enough that they’ll get to choose how they interact, if they want to be likable or not, and if they even want to obey our commands?
More to come on these topics and others in the coming weeks. Stay tuned.
[Disclaimer: Please accept my apologies for any ads that pop up before the linked videos. They do not reflect my position, nor do I endorse any of the products – it’s just a YouTube thing I can’t get around.]
Hi Steve: Have you ever thought about setting up a blog page on Medium? If not, check it out. With the help of Ninja Writers (fabulous online writers group I’m in) I set up a page. Haven’t posted anything yet but you can check out my page. Search Coyotesusan. The creator of Ninja Writers, Shaunta Grimes, is one of the top earners on Medium. She writes about…WRITING. Many Ninja’s blog on Medium to drive traffic to their websites and build their mailing lists. You can also write for other members under their publications. You maintain the rights to all you publish. There are real people who ‘curate’ posts, but if you follow the guidelines and classify under the correct subject, most writers get published. Membership is $5 a month which pays the writers based on read- throughs. No ads.
Just a thought.
Susan
Thanks, Susan. I’ll definitely check it out. Appreciate the info and that you dropped by.