Video: When do robots cross the ‘realistic or creepy’ line?

julesrobot

Oh, robots. I think people liked you more when you looked like Rosie than your current “human-light” appearances.

Take this one, named Jules by scientists at the Bristol Robotics Laboratory in the UK. It’s supposedly the first “humanoid” robot that “can mimic the facial expressions and lip movements of a human being.” It has its own software that lets it smile, frown and furrow its brow. A veritable Jim Carey circa 1994, this one.

Like most of these realistic-looking robots, it was designed with the idea that, one day, robots will be able to help people out in their daily lives. Certainly a noble goal, but golly gee there’s something a bit “off” about it, right?

Oh, and there’s a video of it in action!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1S-fmKqwa98&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&fs=1]

It looks like a video game or stop-motion animation.

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