Innovation has Strange Headwaters
Lately I've been thinking a lot about the line between humans and machines. Partly for reasons of my own, and partly because my cousin has been thinking of going into robotics now that she is entering her final year of engineering school. So I've been doing a little bit of reading and ran across a profile of Le Trung. Le has built a robot named Aiko which has some amazing capabilities, such as facial and voice recognition, and fairly consistent speech - and all without the benefit of any outside support. Mind you, the robot has some bizarre aspects as well. For example it's dressed like a young Japanese nurse. It also refers to him as "my master" and wears a sock on one hand. Yes. It's creepy and possibly gross. But that doesn't take away from his genuine technical achievement.
Comments
um, yeah. that freaks me out. wonder what else she can do...? (yes, i'm a dirt bag)
Posted by: Dr Germ | August 18, 2008 7:26 PM
Aren't we all? It's scary to think about, but if you just focus on the technical part ...
Posted by: lo fat mo | August 19, 2008 12:14 AM
Um, I don't enjoy that he mentions that she can feel her breasts and private parts then said "you do the math" on what applications this could have. Creepy much? Nonetheless, this is scary and impressive. Maybe I've read too many Philip K. Dick novels in my youth, but I'd rather we didn't delve to deeply into the technology of androids.
Am I the only person who feels like lately we're in an 80's sci-fi film of the future? I just keep waiting for "Running Man" to become an actual TV show. . . maybe I'd start watching television again!
Posted by: Karen | August 19, 2008 10:04 AM
Wow, I didn't hear that part at all! Well then my worst fears are confirmed. Doesn't detract from the technical achievement though. I look forward to having android servants - for yard work of course... ahem.
Posted by: lo fat mo | August 19, 2008 10:10 AM
gross.
Posted by: dr germ | August 20, 2008 11:22 AM
If you watch the video of him demonstrating her "skills" in her nurse uniform he mentions it. I watched that part twice to make sure my dirty mind wasn't imagining it. Terrifying!
Posted by: Karen | August 20, 2008 11:24 AM
I've decided that I'm starting an organization called PETA - People for the Ethical Treatment of Androids.
Posted by: dr germ | August 20, 2008 4:23 PM
It's in the FAQ, too. This guy should probably approach that market separately and more discretely if he wants to attract serious corporate sponsors.
"Aiko has sensitive sensors on her faces, body, including her breasts and vagina."
Anyone have Trent Reznor's contact info? I'd like to produce a video with him. We'll make a song called "tighter" and we'll give the term "death grip" new meaning.
Posted by: Les | August 22, 2008 4:06 PM
Ouch. The FAQ speaks truth and this guy should look for different corporate sponsorship. I'm a little verklempt by the whole thing and feel a bit dirty.
Posted by: Lo Fat Mo | August 22, 2008 8:05 PM