There are many fears associated with the topic of robots (will they rebel against humans? Will they deprive us of jobs? Will they be able to harm humans?) But today let's talk about another fear - external. About robots, when looking at which it becomes somehow creepy.
Erica
A hyper-realistic android robot created by Hiroshi Ishiguro, a professor at Osaka University. The professor is renowned for his photorealistic creations, and Erica is a step forward on the path to creating a robot that is as human as possible. It is assumed that Erica will replace secretaries, administrators, receptionists. The robot's facial features and skin are almost flawless, moreover, Erica is capable of minimal facial expressions. However, with all the technology and visual appeal, Erica still looks rather "wooden", and can frighten or repel visitors who will have to face her at the reception as a client.
Sophia
Osaka University is not alone in creating robotic attractive women. The android Sophia was inspired by the image of Audrey Hepburn and the wife of creator David Hanson, founder of Hanson Robotics. Sophia has rich facial expressions and "believable" silicone skin. True, for some reason Hanson left her an "open" back of the head, thereby making his creation look like the heroine of the movie Ex Machina. However, her emotionless voice and the equally unnatural change of facial expressions give her a lifeless machine.
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Sea snakes
Underwater robots developed by the Norwegian company Kongsberg Maritime together with the oil and gas company Statoil for conducting underwater research of various kinds. A snake-like robot with an ominous "eye", without any fins, narrow and flexible, it can penetrate into the most inaccessible places even at great depths under strong pressure. According to the original plan, "Sea Serpents" will have to study damaged offshore oil platforms, but most likely their scope will be much wider. Curiously, a reptile robot can be much more useful than an anthropomorphic robot.
Victorian Child Robot
In 1871, engineer Robert Clay patented his invention - a small doll that can move. Not to say that its development was a success: too heavy a construction, potential difficulties with spare parts in case of possible breakdown and, in the end, an aesthetic discrepancy (would you let your child play this?). But then the creation of Mr. Clay became part of the collection of the National Museum of American History. Which, of course, is much more honorable than commercial success.
Pregnancy simulator
It was developed in 2015 by Gaumard Scientific for medical students. This robot is made to glory. First, it is extremely naturalistic - you can control its blood pressure, oxygen level and other factors. Secondly, the robot contains a variety of programs, and students can practice childbirth with complications, and caesarean section, and other scenarios. In addition, a childbirth robot makes sounds in response to pain, it can bleed - in general, demonstrate the process of labor without embellishment.
Affetto
A child robot created at Osaka University (Japan) is another example of when, from a technological point of view, a robot is as close as possible to a person, but the impression is repulsive. The main source of pride for the creators of the robot baby Affetto is artificial leather, which is almost indistinguishable from human skin. And do not forget to watch the demo: it is a little creepy, but it illustrates well the achievements of modern engineering.
Sperm robot
In fact, it is an important and necessary device for medicine. The gadget owes its name only to its resemblance to a sperm and has nothing to do with the reproductive system itself. This is a small mechanism that can move in a humid environment using the same flagella that a sperm has. The micro-robot can deliver the desired cells or drugs to any part of the body.
Bipedal Cassie
Created by the University of Oregon student Agility Robotics. According to the creators, in addition to the sphere of commercial services (for example, delivery of goods), Cassie will be indispensable in rescue operations. In addition, it is ideal for handling nuclear waste because it is capable of operating in radioactive areas. The walking robot has certain advantages over wheeled robots. Still, the seemingly independent legs are a bit discouraging.
Bomb robot
Was used by Dallas police in the summer of 2016 to eliminate the killer. The perpetrator killed four police officers, injured seven people and barricaded himself in the garage. He refused to negotiate with the police. According to law enforcement officials, the only way to keep the city safe without endangering people's lives was to use a bombardier robot. Why is this robot among the worst on the list? Because this is where technology reveals potentially dire prospects. After all, a robot delivering an explosive device to a target may end up in anyone's hands, not just the police.
A robot with your friend's face
The outlandish invention of the British company Engineered Arts, the Sociobot Mini, recognizes you and your face, capturing your mood as well. The sociobot can take the form of the one who is calling you at a given second, broadcasting the voice of the caller. The robot uses a 3D camera to recognize gestures, faces, emotions, and even age. The impression is rather strange: at the moment of the call, the sociobot's face acquires the basic features of the speaker, while remaining just a dummy doll with the face of a person you know.
Natalia Polytsya
