We will examine the humanization journey of a robot in the film Bicentennial Man and discuss the potential for robots to express emotions and perform social roles like humans, and the ethical and social acceptability of such a development. It explores the boundary issues that arise as robots become more human-like in appearance and capabilities, and the ways in which they will coexist with humans, and re-explores the meaning of humanity.
The Bicentennial Man. When I was a kid, I remember watching this movie on a cable TV channel that specialized in movies. Usually, I’d get bored of a movie and not watch it again, but strangely, this was one of those movies that moved me more than it bored me, no matter how many times I watched it. Looking back on it now, I think it’s because my young heart was touched by a robot’s tearful efforts to become human. Andrew the robot is actually made to look almost human, and with the money he earns, he becomes a real “human” through a process that is difficult to imagine with today’s technology.
Andrew’s story also raises deep philosophical questions about what it means to be human and how far the boundaries between humans and robots can be stretched. Andrew’s journey to become human is more than just a demonstration of technological advancement; it invites us to think about what it means to be human. Questions like, “What is it to be human, and what does it take for a robot to have human characteristics?” are naturally raised through Andrew’s journey. As the robot desperately tries to be recognized as a real human being, the movie feels like a journey of self-discovery.
But is it really possible for a robot to become human, and how many robots have been born with human-like traits? In this article, we’re going to talk about human-like robots that coexist with humans in human society based on movies.
Before we talk about human-like robots, we need to define what a “robot” is. In the dictionary sense, a robot is a mechanical device that can automatically perform human behaviors or tasks. In 1987, Dr. Mcclellan defined a robot as a tool that has 1) operability to move on its own, 2) sophistication to perform a task meticulously, 3) transportability to lift and carry other objects, objects, or tools, 4) artificial intelligence through data and programs, and 5) sensory capabilities through video/audio sensors and tentacles.
So, what do robots look like and what are their capabilities? Currently, “human-like robots” created by humans can be divided into two types. One is robots that resemble human appearance, and the other is robots that resemble human abilities. The first type of robot, or humanoid, is Andrew, the protagonist of the movie Bicentennial Man. According to the movie, Andrew is a robot built to resemble a human in both skeleton and appearance. In the real world, such robots are gradually being developed.
There are already robots that can walk upright like humans, speak and assist humans, and even express emotions at a very basic level. At this rate of technological progress, researchers predict that by 2025, we will have robots with the level of emotion that a 7-year-old human can express, and with intelligence that is almost as good as or better than humans.
Another class of robots is those that mimic human abilities. At first glance, the phrase “mimic human abilities” may not make much sense, but robot vacuum cleaners that clean instead of humans, transportation robots that carry luggage instead of humans, or combat robots that perform combat missions instead of humans in wars are all robots that mimic human abilities.
In fact, in the history of robot development, robots that resemble human abilities began to develop before robots that resemble human appearance. However, robots that resemble human abilities are less threatening to humans because they don’t look like humans. As robots become more human-like in appearance, humans sometimes feel a sense of life in them, while at the same time worrying about their distance from them.
As human-like robots become more realistic, there is a growing debate about whether they will be socially and ethically acceptable. This is more than just a question of technological advancement, but a reflection on the morality, responsibility, and role of AI and robots, and the dignity and role of humans.
