Friday, March 06, 2009

Okay, seriously Japan, what the hell.

Japanese scientists shocked when robot "programmed to love" tries to love too much? Haven't they ever watched ... oh... I don't know, just about any sci-fi movie involving robots .. ever?

http://www.muckflash.com/?p=200

For those who want a general overview:

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The trouble all started when a young female intern began to spend several hours each day with Kenji, testing his systems and loading new software routines. When it came time to leave one evening, however, Kenji refused to let her out of his lab enclosure and used his bulky mechanical body to block her exit and hug her repeatedly. The intern was only able to escape after she had frantically phoned two senior staff members to come and temporarily de-activate Kenji.

“Despite our initial enthusiasm, it has become clear that Kenji’s impulses and behavior are not entirely rational or genuine,” conceded Dr. Takahashi.

Ever since that incident, each time Kenji is re-activated, he instantaneously bonds with the first technician to meet his gaze and rushes to embrace them with his two 100kg hydraulic arms. It doesn’t help that Kenji uses only pre-recorded dog and cat noises to communicate and is able to vocalize his love through a 20 watt speaker in his chest.

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Final quote: “This is only a minor setback. I have full faith that we will one day live side by side with, and eventually love and be loved by, robots"

I hope he names his next robot "Skynet".

Skynet just wants to love us too much.

3 comments:

Thom said...

Ha ha! "die in their steel claws."

Bunn said...

robots will always turn on their masters!

jp said...

"I'm afraid I can't let you do that, Dave."