Discussion
Munter said:
98elise said:
This is the problem. They don't look or move correctly, and it serves no purpose unless you need to pass one off as human.
The principal role would be to things we don't want to, and to work in an every day environment. For that it just needs to be roughly human shape.
Until you introduce the sex element. Then it needs to look and feel as human as possible to get the full effect.The principal role would be to things we don't want to, and to work in an every day environment. For that it just needs to be roughly human shape.
And look what sex did for VHS....
You only need to them to look like a human it you want to have a human relationship (sexual or otherwise).
Given the massive extra expense and tech required, then its going to be very obvious why you have a fully functioning lady robot rather than C-3PO.
There are many reasons why we might want to create life-like robots (besides the obvious sexual ones)
1. God complex, there are many people who are very keen to try to outdo God. Creating a human-like robot is going to be an almost irresistible goal for some.
2. Because we can, never underestimate the sheer bloody mindedness of humans, like climbing a mountain it's one of those goals that some people think just needs to happen.
3. We want to be the first. I suspect at some point there will be an arms race between different groups\nations as to who will be able to create the most life-like robot. In fact I'd say that's already happening now.
4. Military applications will be another very big driver. Yes drones and metal machines will soon replace front line troops but what about infiltration and espionage? Surely a life-like synth would make the ultimate spy.
1. God complex, there are many people who are very keen to try to outdo God. Creating a human-like robot is going to be an almost irresistible goal for some.
2. Because we can, never underestimate the sheer bloody mindedness of humans, like climbing a mountain it's one of those goals that some people think just needs to happen.
3. We want to be the first. I suspect at some point there will be an arms race between different groups\nations as to who will be able to create the most life-like robot. In fact I'd say that's already happening now.
4. Military applications will be another very big driver. Yes drones and metal machines will soon replace front line troops but what about infiltration and espionage? Surely a life-like synth would make the ultimate spy.
If anyone is interested I've started a thread so as not to take this one off topic.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
PoleDriver said:
marshalla said:
Why ? This is one of the things that struck me whilst watching the latest episode when they went to a factory/warehouse. If a factory is completely operated by AIs, why do they need to be humanoid ? Why not build the intelligence into something better suited to the job it's doing - i.e. rather than have a humanoid synth. running a machine, why not have an intelligent machine or whole factory ? And why bother giving it all the extra elements beyond what it needs to do the job ?
A humanoid synth. is purely a stop-gap in that environment. The only reason for keeping them in a human package is so that they can replace humans when necessary or operate in a necessarily human-oriented environment.
They tried that in the 60s and 70s in an experiment called "the British car industry". The theory was that to assemble cars you only need a simple operator with strong limbs, dexterous joints and fingers and very little brain.A humanoid synth. is purely a stop-gap in that environment. The only reason for keeping them in a human package is so that they can replace humans when necessary or operate in a necessarily human-oriented environment.
The experiment was a failure!
The Japanese found that using more intelligent beings who called think for themselves and use a computational system called 'common sense' enabled them to produce more cars , to a higher standard and for less money!
There are some advantages to robots being humanoid, the more so the less specialised they are; our built environment, our tools and technologies, are designed to be occupied and utilised by humans. Something the size and shape of a person can fit in and interact with technology designed for human operators.
If you can build a sufficiently life-like robot to climb out of the other side of the uncanny valley, you have something that people can relate to. That might be important not just for sexbots, but for caring jobs. While the nursing bot in Humans is pretty horrific, the idea of using sufficiently lifelike robots to provide 24/7 care for those who need it might not be a bad one, given the ageing population.
mudflaps said:
You *might* get them in brothels but then why would you bother when real women would do that for you - unless your tastes are seriously f**ked up that a synth is your only outlet.
Cost and social acceptability. They can work 24 hours a day 365 a year. And they'll not complain that their jaw aches, or have to use numbing gels down there after a while. Plus nobody is going to raid a place with a load of sex robots in it looking for illegal immigrants / slaves. So the punters will be secure in the knowledge that A)nobody in the room is getting hurt mentally or physically, and B)they will not be stood on the street wearing their union jack boxers and talking to a police man.mudflaps said:
If anyone is interested I've started a thread so as not to take this one off topic.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Thank you!! I come on here to discuss a programme and end up bogged down in way to much analysis etc for me http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
there is barely any comment about the show now!mudflaps said:
If anyone is interested I've started a thread so as not to take this one off topic.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Good idea.http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Although this thread will be much less interesting.
Jasandjules said:
Piersman2 said:
Other than the space race of the 1960'70s and war, I can't think of anything that has driven technology take up and development more than good old porn! 
Generally wars generate massive developments of technology including medicine....From what (little) I know porn has had a massive influence on VCR/DVD tech and perhaps plastic surgery, but outside of anything strictly related to watching images it's a moot point.
otolith said:
I think the argument being made is that if you are going to automate and mechanise a system, why do it with robots shaped like humans when they would be more efficient shaped like spiders or fork lift trucks or something entirely new. The robots we currently use in car factories aren't humanoid.
There are some advantages to robots being humanoid, the more so the less specialised they are; our built environment, our tools and technologies, are designed to be occupied and utilised by humans. Something the size and shape of a person can fit in and interact with technology designed for human operators.
If you can build a sufficiently life-like robot to climb out of the other side of the uncanny valley, you have something that people can relate to. That might be important not just for sexbots, but for caring jobs. While the nursing bot in Humans is pretty horrific, the idea of using sufficiently lifelike robots to provide 24/7 care for those who need it might not be a bad one, given the ageing population.
I wonder if we need to start a new "ideal shape for utility robot". There are some advantages to robots being humanoid, the more so the less specialised they are; our built environment, our tools and technologies, are designed to be occupied and utilised by humans. Something the size and shape of a person can fit in and interact with technology designed for human operators.
If you can build a sufficiently life-like robot to climb out of the other side of the uncanny valley, you have something that people can relate to. That might be important not just for sexbots, but for caring jobs. While the nursing bot in Humans is pretty horrific, the idea of using sufficiently lifelike robots to provide 24/7 care for those who need it might not be a bad one, given the ageing population.
In science fiction we have humanoid robots because historically it was a man in a suit, and there's usually an anthropomorphic element for story reasons.
In the real world we build single purpose robots, designed in the way that best suits their function.
In the speculative future where a single robot design is required to do all the menial jobs that we can't be bothered with, it makes sense to design it to fit into the world we have built around ourselves. A spider robot would be useful for many things, but if you wanted it to give you a lift home from the pub, how would it fit the drivers seat? Sure, you could redesign the car, the kitchen etc., but then you are making things so that it's easier for the robot.
SpudLink said:
I wonder if we need to start a new "ideal shape for utility robot".
In science fiction we have humanoid robots because historically it was a man in a suit, and there's usually an anthropomorphic element for story reasons.
In the real world we build single purpose robots, designed in the way that best suits their function.
In the speculative future where a single robot design is required to do all the menial jobs that we can't be bothered with, it makes sense to design it to fit into the world we have built around ourselves. A spider robot would be useful for many things, but if you wanted it to give you a lift home from the pub, how would it fit the drivers seat? Sure, you could redesign the car, the kitchen etc., but then you are making things so that it's easier for the robot.
Exactly. In science fiction we have humanoid robots because historically it was a man in a suit, and there's usually an anthropomorphic element for story reasons.
In the real world we build single purpose robots, designed in the way that best suits their function.
In the speculative future where a single robot design is required to do all the menial jobs that we can't be bothered with, it makes sense to design it to fit into the world we have built around ourselves. A spider robot would be useful for many things, but if you wanted it to give you a lift home from the pub, how would it fit the drivers seat? Sure, you could redesign the car, the kitchen etc., but then you are making things so that it's easier for the robot.
JustinP1 said:
mudflaps said:
Guvernator said:
1. God complex, there are many people who are very keen to try to outdo God. Creating a human-like robot is going to be an almost irresistible goal for some.
You can never outdo somebody who doesn't exist 
mudflaps said:
You can never outdo somebody who doesn't exist
Just because you believe it doesn't exist, it doesn't stop people from having a god complex. The idea of God is ingrained in the human psyche and the other thing that is also ingrained in the human psyche is competition, the need to improve\do better than the next man, the ultimate expression of which is to beat a supposed deity at their own game.ajprice said:
227bhp said:
She managed to stay on that seat ok despite no seat belt!
Now there's a question; do they feel cold to touch or are they heated?
I thought she had the lap belt on.Now there's a question; do they feel cold to touch or are they heated?
On second thoughts, they must be heated - it would be a dead giveaway otherwise...
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