Uncanny Valley

5/6/2016

This essay delves into the concept of the "Uncanny Valley" in relation to technology and human-like robots. The author explores the idea that as robots become more human-like in appearance and behavior, there is a tipping point where they become eerily close to but not quite human, resulting in a sense of unease or revulsion in observers. The author examines various examples, from realistic humanoid robots to computer-generated characters in movies, to illustrate this phenomenon. The essay also discusses the implications of the Uncanny Valley for our relationship with technology and our perceptions of what it means to be human.

uncanny valley ꞏ robotics ꞏ human-robot interaction ꞏ artificial intelligence ꞏ computer science ꞏ technology ꞏ psychology ꞏ human perception ꞏ aesthetics ꞏ human-likeness ꞏ creepiness ꞏ robotics engineering ꞏ humanoid robots ꞏ aesthetics of robots ꞏ human-like appearance ꞏ emotional response ꞏ human emotions ꞏ human cognition ꞏ androids ꞏ human simulation ꞏ cognitive dissonance ꞏ social robotics ꞏ human-computer interaction ꞏ animated characters ꞏ virtual characters ꞏ computer graphics ꞏ empathy ꞏ human-machine interaction ꞏ social acceptance ꞏ emotional connection ꞏ fear of robots ꞏ artificial emotions ꞏ human behavior ꞏ philosophy of technology ꞏ technological advancements ꞏ ethics of robotics ꞏ humanoid robotics ꞏ machine learning ꞏ human likeness