From Companion to Ex Machina, Hollywood is robot-obsessed. Should we be afraid?

The narrative of robots turning against their creators is a tale as old as time in cinema. From classics like 2001: A Space Odyssey to more recent films like Ex Machina and Companion, the message is clear: messing with robots or AI can have dire consequences. As technology advances, the line between science fiction and reality becomes increasingly blurred. But just how close are we to a future filled with robot companions and workers?

One company at the forefront of the robot companion industry is Realbotix, led by CEO Andrew Kiguel. Realbotix specializes in creating robots that serve as companions or greeters, using AI to facilitate personal interactions with individuals. These robots are designed to improve emotional well-being and have been featured in films like After Yang and Robot & Frank.

Companion robots have also been utilized in real-life applications, such as the Social Robot Project at Canadore College in North Bay, Ontario. The project aims to enhance the lives of seniors in assisted-living facilities through interactions with robots. Despite the early stages of research, the project has shown promising results, with older adults dancing, singing, and playing games with the robots.

While the idea of a robot-infused society may seem imminent, experts like Walter Martinez Marconi believe we are still far from achieving fully functional androids. While AI and software improvements have made great strides, the physical hardware required for lifelike robots is still a major hurdle. The ability to recognize objects and humans in various environments remains a challenge, indicating that fully functional androids are still “many, many decades” away.

In terms of the fear of robots turning violent, Marconi dismisses the notion as more fiction than science. While robots can be programmed to commit violence, the idea of rogue robots operating outside of their creators’ intentions is unlikely. Julie Robillard, a neurology professor at UBC, agrees that robots can actually foster human-to-human connections rather than replace them. The key lies in designing robots with “honest anthropomorphism” to build trust and enhance ethical interactions.

As the world continues to integrate robots into various aspects of society, the focus remains on creating devices that can support and connect people rather than replace them. The future of robotics holds endless possibilities, but for now, the idea of a robot-dominated society remains firmly in the realm of science fiction.