The idea of lifelike android doubles has been explored in a variety of science fiction shows, under names such as “Life Model Decoys,” “Surrogates,” or if you’re reading the right comics, “Doombots.” Now, however, they’re leaving the realm of science fiction and entering reality, with realistic androids from the Japanese roboticist Hiroshi Ishiguro.
When Ishiguro presented his robot at the Global Futures 2045 International Congress, he wasn’t alone on stage. With him was a duplicate of himself, a remotely controlled construct he dubbed the “Geminoid.” According to Ishiguro, it can be used as a double when needed, for giving lectures remotely, or even attending events.
Also demonstrated was a female-looking Geminoid, which is used to model clothing in the windows of stores. So far it has proven more effective than a regular mannequin, with clothing selling very quickly.
While the Geminoids were the main focus of Ishiguro’s presentation, he also had neutral-looking pillow-esque “Telenoids,” and smaller “Elfoids” that can act as mobile phones. He hopes these creations will help further the progress into “trans humanity,” where humans and robots exist in a “Ghost in the Shell” type of world, where one can be mistaken for the other. (Admittedly, the Elfoids remind me more of the pocket-sized Persocom from the series “Chobits,” but that’s another story.)
At the moment, the Geminoids still land in “uncanny valley,” where they lie between human-like but still unnervingly inhuman, but it’s an incredible step forward in robotics. With humanoid androids, there is potential for advancements in exploration, construction, hospitality, and even providing virtual mobility for those who are immobile.
Of course, TMC is no stranger to robotics. From August 27-29, the RobotXWorld conference will explore the possibilities and opportunities in robotics, ranging from artificial intelligence to the legal elements of robotics, and everything in-between.
