In this blog post, we examine how human-like robots have actually evolved and ponder whether we are prepared to coexist with them.
The movie ‘Bicentennial Man’. I remember this movie being one I’d often stumble upon while flipping through cable TV channels dedicated to showing movies when I was young. Usually, I’d use the excuse that I was tired of a movie I’d seen once and wouldn’t watch it again, but strangely, this film never felt tiresome; instead, it repeatedly moved me. Reflecting on why now, I think it might be because my young heart was touched by the tearful efforts of a robot who wanted to become human. Robot Andrew was actually made to look almost human, and with the vast fortune he amassed, he undergoes a process unimaginable with current technology to become a real “human.”
Furthermore, Andrew’s story raises profound philosophical questions: What does it mean to be human? And how far can the boundary between humans and robots be pushed? Andrew’s journey to become human goes beyond merely showcasing technological advancement; it prompts reflection on the very nature of human existence. Questions like ‘What truly defines a human being?’ and ‘What is necessary for a robot to acquire human characteristics?’ naturally arise through Andrew’s journey. The robot’s desperate struggle to be recognized as a real human in the film feels like a quest to find his true self.
So, is it actually possible for a robot to become human? Furthermore, what kinds of robots with human-like traits have been created around us so far? This article, based on the film, aims to explore human-like robots coexisting with humans in human society.
Before discussing human-like robots, we must first define what a “robot” actually is. In its dictionary sense, a robot refers to a mechanical device designed to automatically perform human actions or tasks. Furthermore, Dr. Mcclellan defined a robot in 1987 as a tool possessing: 1) operability to move independently, 2) precision in task execution to meticulously handle assigned work, 3) transportability to lift and carry other objects or tools, 4) artificial intelligence based on data and programming, and 5) sensory capabilities using video/audio sensors and tactile devices.
So, what form do the robots currently around us take, and what functions do they possess? The “human-like robots” humanity has created today can be broadly divided into two types. One type resembles humans in appearance, while the other mimics human capabilities. First, robots resembling human appearance, or humanoids, include the protagonist Andrew in the movie ‘Bicentennial Man’. According to the film, Andrew is a robot designed to resemble humans in both skeleton and appearance. Such robots are gradually being developed in real human society as well.
Robots that walk upright like humans already exist, of course. They can speak, perform tasks to assist humans, and even express very basic emotions. At this rate of technological advancement, scholars predict that by around 2025, robots possessing the emotional range of a 7-year-old human and intelligence nearly matching or even surpassing humans will emerge.
Another type of robot mimics human capabilities. At first glance, the phrase “mimics human capabilities” might seem unclear, but robots like robotic vacuum cleaners that clean instead of humans, transport robots that move loads instead of humans, or combat robots that perform battle missions instead of humans in war can all be described as robots mimicking human capabilities.
In fact, looking at the history of robot development, robots that mimic human capabilities began advancing earlier than those that mimic human appearance. However, because robots mimicking human capabilities did not resemble humans outwardly, they could feel relatively less threatening to humans. As robots’ appearances increasingly resemble humans, people sometimes perceive life in them, while simultaneously contemplating the distance between themselves and the robots.
As human-like robots become more realistic, discussions about their social and ethical acceptance are intensifying. This goes beyond mere technological advancement, demanding reflection on the morality and responsibility of artificial intelligence and robots, as well as human dignity and role.
