Definition An android is a robot made to resemble a human, usually both in appearance and behavior. The fascination in developing robots that can mimic can be found historically in the assimilation of two concepts: simulacra (devices that exhibit likeness) and automata (devices that have independence). Unlike the terms robot (a "mechanical" being) and cyborg (a being that is partly organic and partly mechanical), the word android has been used in literature and other media to denote several different kinds of artificially constructed beings: a robot that closely resembles a human an artificially or synthetically created, yet primarily organic, being that closely resembles a human.
Cultural and Historical background. Like most primates, humans are social by nature; ..Humans are particularly adept at utilizing systems of communication for self-expression, the exchange of ideas, and organization. (Wikipedia, 2007) Human high socialization rate explains human everlasting neccessity for object that could possibly substitute human for another human in cases where real people for different reasons do not match one's expectations. We wrap this dream into tales, myths and stories.
Pinocchio 1883
Jack Pumpkinhead 1900
Terminator 1984
Unknown Model 2000
A.I. 2001
We carry a need for such object from the very moment we have started to become aware of our social nature. This need of ours is also fed by the perception of technical progress as a process that eventually will turn us into omnipotent Gods. An arguable point of view offered by Liane Lowe and Kerstin Stussel(2003) concerns that idea of processing an android could be fed by inner male desire to compete with female ability to bear children.
In the childhood a demand for a social companion turns into a need for an anthropomorfical or human-like toys. The more interactive toy(or, in our case, doll) is, the better. Interactiveness evokes human natural curiosity and gives in new ways of play situation development thus it is best for an education process. The logical triumphant conclusion of the idea(and a process of it's realisation) would be a doll that can easily be mistaken for human. Or, in other words, an android. Adult people also need human-like companions for different reasons.
As noticed by J. Carpenter(2006), androids have been developed and marketed in three general lines: entertainment robots (such as toys: SDR-4X by Sony, 2001; Posy, jointly designed and developed by Silicon Graphics Inc (SGI) Japan and robot designer Tatsuya Matsui, 2002; PaPeRo, NEC Personal Robot Research center, 2001; Chroino, Kyoto University Robo Garage, 2004; Qrio, Sony Intelligence Dynamics Laboratory, Inc, 2004)
SDR-4X Sony 2001
Posy SGI Japan, T. Matsui 2002
PaPeRo Nec 2001
Chroino Kyoto University 2000
Qrio Sony 2004
service robots (task-oriented, such as security guards or receptionists: Asimo, Honda Motor Co., 2005; enon, Fujitsu Frontech, 2005; PaPeRo extended, NEC Personal Robot Research center, 2005; TMSUK service robot, TMSUK, 2004)
Asimo Honda 2005
enon Fujitsu 2005
PaPeRo extended Nec 2005
TMSUK TMSUK 2004
and companion robots (used in prolonged social interactions, such as teachers or home attendants: Wakamaru, Mitsubishi, 2003; Dimi, Philips Homelab, 2005).
Wakamaru Mitsubishi 2003
Dimi Philips 2005
While the first line displays our perpetual need for an entertainment, second line shows the changes in human society - in accordance with the technical progress we tend to replace human attendants with androids, i.e. with someone who can do a simple or non-creative work and who literally has no human needs or rights thus needs no reward. Third line has the most sophisticated requirements for a development product, the Artificial Intelligence of the third line should closely resemble human's one and android should possess creative abilities, i.e. be able not just to analyze data but to synthesize it as well.
Design. Beside the psychological reason for giving to an automation a human-like appearance which concerns human psychic anthropomorphism function (the attribution of uniquely human characteristics and qualities to nonhuman beings, inanimate objects, or natural or supernatural phenomena - Wikipedia, 2007), there is a functional reason described by Adrian Stoica(2004): 'Humanoids may have the best shape.. Certain advantages have been recognized early, including the ability to use the same tools as humans, and to best fit/operate in environments designed for humans.' As a symbol of technologies at the cutting edge, androids outward is usually designed in corresponding manner. The style is high-tech, of course. Surfaces are done with use of chromium-plated metal, all kinds of plastic, ceramics and glass. Outlines are curved and fluid, surfaces smooth or artistically unevened. Minimalistic use of colours is present, colors are usually grayscale, pastel, white, black or monochrome combined with spots of bright contrasting colors. These colouring trends are based on Japanese traditions of orthodox minimalism.
Future problems. The development of humanoid intelligence and capability raises some serious ethical questions. Most of them apply not only to humanoids, but to the robotic field in general. Some people think that humanoids can continue to learn and evolve to a point where they will break away from human command and possibly revolt, or that their "upbringing" can determine their "personality" (e.g. a selfish, tyrannical person will produce a similar android). Although this is the first threat that people think when they are talking about humanoid robots, probably due to science fiction books and movies, there are other ethical concerns. One of them is to whom should be awarded the patents of an invention done by a robot. Another one is who is responsible when an intelligent machine fails, commits a crime, or does something it shouldn’t do. If in the future humanoids have the ability to reason, be self-aware and have feelings, another kind of questions will be raised. What would be the difference between human beings and humanoid robots’ rights? Could a person destroy or make robots his/her slaves? Why would we ever want to design a robot with the ability to have freewill or even a sense of self preservation? Nowadays, other concerns are emerging mainly with the introduction of humanoid robots in tasks that were only done by human beings, like being a security guard. Humanoid robots for factories are also being developed. This can cause that people lose their jobs to robots that work with lower costs and higher productivity. (Wikipedia, 2007) These questions mainly concern contemporary social problems that can not be solved neither worsen by androids existence. We also can name a problem that might occur with presence of an android that could be mistaken for a human being thus be a perfect human companion: people will no longer need society as it is. However, to the moment of being able to create a perfect artificial human humankind might lose a need in society, and that might happen without any androids assistance.
Ethics. Primary source of an idea of contemporary understanding of androids existence, Isaac Asimov's book 'I, robot', meets ethic understanding of the problem by definition of Three Laws of Robotics: 1. A robot may not injure a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm. 2. A robot must obey orders given it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law. 3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.
References: LOWE, L., STUSSEL, K. (August 20-24 2003) Dresden, 'GENDER STUDIES AT THE DRESDEN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY', presented at "Gender and Power in the New Europe, the 5th European Feminist Research Conference", Lund University, Sweden CARPENTER, J. (2006) 'Machine or friend: understanding users preferences for and expectations of a humanoid robot companion', Proceedings of 5th conference on Design and Emotion. Gothenburg, Sweden STOICA, A. (2004) Humanoids for Urban Operations, Pasadena, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory: Jet Propulsion Laboratory White Paper ASIMOV, I. (1951) I, Robot, New York: Gnome Press, trade paperback "Armed Forces Edition" Wikipedia, Human, 2007, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human Wikipedia, Anthropomorphism, 2007, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthropomorphic Wikipedia, Humanoid robot, 2007, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanoid_robot
Android references: SDR-4X: http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press_Archive/200303/03-0324E/ Qrio: http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/QRIO/top_nf.html Posy: www.sgi.co.jp/reports/2002/apr/posy/index.html Chroino: http://www.robo-garage.com/english/robo/chroino.html Asimo: http://world.honda.com/ASIMO/ enon: http://www.fujitsu.com/global/news/pr/archives/month/2005/20050913-01.html PaPeRo: http://www.incx.nec.co.jp/robot/english/papero2005/index.html Wakamaru: http://www.compukiss.com/populartopics/homefamilyhtm/article923.htm TSMUK service robot: http://www.engadget.com/2005/10/10/tmsuks-service-robot-carries-your-bags-while-you-shop/ Dimi: http://www.we-make-money-not-art.com/archives/006167.php http://www.research.philips.com/password/archive/23/downloads/pw23_personaltouch_14.pdf
Opening movie info link: http://www.director-file.com/cunningham/bjork.html