New entertainment technology unveiled. The robot called Ameca has been revealed to the public in recent weeks. The humanoid-looking robot has been created by a group called Engineered Arts which has been under the watchful eye of many people since it resembles a movie character VIKI, a robot assassin from the movie “I Robot”. Fortunately for us, the engineers assure us that nothing of the sort will happen with their project.
At this point in time, the robot’s only features are its high resemblance to a human face, a complete range of emotions that are displayed by its face mimicry, the ability to sigh and simulate breathing and eye movement. However, the lead engineer has stated that in the future they want to incorporate AI into their machines.
The internet has been roaring about this topic since the first post Engineering Arts posted on Twitter. Viewers have been saying that it is too realistic to be real, under a video of Ameca talking and communicating with others, and have accused them of posting computer-generated videos speculating that the robot is too realistic to be real and that is material look too smooth and plain.
Right now the maker of Ameca is working on 4 different projects regarding ABs (Artificial Body). The videos that present other projects give more credibility to Ameca and since those videos came out the public has been quieter on the topic of the authenticity of the robot that stirred so much drama.
For now, the idea of a killer robot released into our world is fortunately only farfetched fantasies.
The Ameca itself is a very cool piece of technology. However, the look of it is just terrifying, it really provokes the ‘uncanny valley’ effect. I think the Engineered Arts should focus on fixing this issue as soon as possible if they want people to like their robot and to perceive it as a friend, not as a threat. Even Tesla Bots with their black glass faces look more appealing.
That is a very interesting initiative. I’ve heard that they are also planning to make her walk in a human manner, which probably will not be easy, as we can see in the example of her facial expressions, which took a lot of effort and yet are not really realistic.