Popular Science September Issue

[kb7rky]

Not sure if this belongs here, but...

The current issue of Popular Science (Sept. 2003) features a guy who's building a lifelike robotic head modelled after one of his assistants.

I didn't buy the mag (I know, I know...bad Doug!), just skimmed through it (and the story in particular)...all it detailed was how he's built the head and how he's got it programmed to respond as close to a real human female as possible.

Go check it out...

(okay, okay...sheesh...I'll go buy one... )

[ehy]

http://www.popsci.com/popsci/science/ar ... -1,00.html

[Gorgo]

Amazing!

We're getting closer, guys! Bit by bit, we're getting closer...

[RobotMaster]

This guy sounds kind of like a modern-day Edison, doggedly pursuing a goal through tireless trial and error. I have always thought that the innovations in this field would have to come from somebody approaching it from a fresh perspective. Too many of the scientists involved in the field seem to be confined by preconceived notions of how the nirvana we seek will be achieved. Just my opinion, but I love to see things like this!

RM

[Keizo]

http://www.popsci.com/popsci/science/ar ... -1,00.html

Oh yeah, I remember that one:

http://www.androidworld.com/prod04.htm

I think there are some clips too at this site and a link to his. Enjoy!

[tectile]

The article says,

" No one points out that he is violating a decades-old taboo among robot designers. "

What's this all about?

Is there some sort of unwriten rule about building realistic human heads, bodies, etc that I don't know about?

If so, Why would this be?

[ehy]

Um, the article explains that.

[tectile]

Note to self.

Next time read entire article before comenting. Dooo!

This uncanny valley is an interesting concept and I suspect that it's a true thing probably due to simple human biology.

When you see someone with a facial deformity your natural animal instinct tells you that something is wrong with this persons genetics and they should not reproduce for the overall health of the race.
This would account for the revultion some feel as you get close but not quite to 100% human looking.

Agree? Disagree?

[tinyspider]

When you see someone with a facial deformity your natural animal instinct tells you that something is wrong with this persons genetics and they should not reproduce for the overall health of the race.
Agree? Disagree?

I haven't read the article, but, In my humble opinion, I think it's a "dangerous" point of view, because it will reduce everytihing to a "esthetical" judgement, wich I think is totally wrong, What kind of parameters you could use to say a face is deformed or not?, racist people use the "white , blonde, blue eyed, arian" esthetic to determine everybody who doesn't fit onto that, is "inferior", is like saying "this guy, Ludvig Van Beethoven, is deaf and because of that he couldn't enjoy or make music, so let's destroy his work because is 'against nature' and it will be 'healthier' for us, non-deafs". I think revultion comes from natural fear of being replaced by "something superior", and I'm not saying, robots are actually "superior" to human beings, but they could be in a future...

[DrFranklin]

I think that a most folks would have no problem accepting a Hellraiser or Darth maul talking head that moved with perfect human-like versimilitude.

It's a normal-looking head that is slightly 'off' that people have trouble with.

[droidlvr]

I agree with araenae in that what can be considered a perfect face?
I don't have to go as far as the Aryan anology,but I do notice that virtaully
all the gynoids are of a certain type. I said this before but a good ASFR
depiction should have all types of gynoids and not only the playboy and
super model types. A "very ordinary and realistic" looking female suddenly
malfunctioning, revealing her nature as a gynoid to me is always welcomed.

[tinyspider]

I think you guys will like this:

http://www.androidworld.com/Kbot_video.wmv


it's a cool video of that head