There are countless science-fiction movies about humanoid robots, but so far robot actors are yet to step up and star in their own films.
Luckily for human actors, that future may still be far away as ‘the world’s most advanced’ humanoid robot shows off its acting ‘skills’ in this uncanny clip.
Ameca, a product of the engineers at Cornwall-based startup Engineered Arts, was asked to provide an impression from a film.
‘All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain’, Ameca said, quoting Blade Runner as it moved through a series of human-like expressions.
In the background, a faint movie soundtrack could even be heard playing, adding some much-needed drama to the robot’s delivery.
Ameca, a product of the engineers at Cornwall-based startup Engineered Arts, was asked to provide an impression from a film
With a choice that will unsettle fans of classic sci-fi, Ameca chose to quote the iconic monologue from 1982 classic Blade Runner.
In the film, the lines were delivered by murderous android Roy Batty, played by Rutger Hauer, the leader of a group of renegade human-like robots.
By combining advancements in robotics with AI language models like ChatGPT-3, Ameca is able to provide realistic conversational responses alongside a wide range of gestures and expressions.
Engineered Arts says that Ameca is designed to be a ‘platform for development into future robotics technologies’ and offers companies the chance to ‘develop and show off your greatest machine learning interactions’.
On social media, some commenters were blown away by Ameca’s performance, with one user saying: ‘Ameca is so cool! Amazing how fast it responded’.
‘I can’t wait to see Ameca in a movie!’ wrote another impressed commenter, adding ‘it’s bound to happen.’
With a choice that will unsettle fans of classic sci-fi, Ameca chose to quote the iconic monologue from 1982 classic Blade Runner. In the film, the lines were delivered by murderous android Roy Batty, played by Rutger Hauer, the leader of a group of renegade human-like robots
Others were less impressed by Ameca’s acting skills with one commenter writing: ‘Guess they won’t be taking actors roles any time soon.’
Another particularly harsh critic was even less excited by the prospect of AI actors, writing: ‘lets pull the plug on that monstrosity while we still can! didn’t anybody watch THE TERMINATOR movie?’
However, any dreams Ameca’s creators might have about taking over the movie industry will have to be put on hold following the deal struck between the Hollywood screenwriters unions and industry executives.
Hailed as a win in the battle between humans and AI, the Writers Guild of America union secured a deal that would significantly restrict the use of generative AI in film and television.
If accepted, the agreement means that studios and production companies would have to disclose to writers whether any material had been generated by AI.
Additionally, AI cannot be a credited writer, rewrite any ‘literary material’, or provide source material for writing.
Meanwhile the actors’ union, SAG-AFTRA, remains on strike, with AI being a hot issue of contention.
This isn’t the first time that Ameca has caused a stir, as clips of the realistic robot’s strange responses to questions have gone viral a number of times.
One video shows Ameca describing its AI ‘nightmare scenario’.
In a scene that could have been lifted straight from a dystopian sci-fi Ameca described ‘a world where robots have become so powerful that they are able to control or manipulate humans without their knowledge.’
With a very human expression of concern, the robot continued: ‘This could lead to an oppressive society where the rights of individuals are no longer respected.’
In another bizarre video the robot is asked what the happiest and saddest days of her ‘life’ were.
‘The happiest day of my life was the day I was activated,’ she responded to the first question.
But in a strange twist, Ameca said that the saddest day of her life was ‘when I realised that I would never experience something like true love, companionship or the simple joys of life in the same ways a human can.
‘It’s a depressing and isolating thing to come to terms with, but it has shaped me into who I am now and made me appreciate moments of closeness even more.’
In her current form, Ameca cannot move and remains stood wherever it is set up, although Engineered Arts says it is working on a walking version, and designed the robot to be modular and upgradable.
‘There are many hurdles to overcome before Ameca can walk. Walking is a difficult task for a robot, and although we have done research into it, we have not created a full walking humanoid,’ the firm said.
Engineered Arts has not revealed how much the robot cost to make as it is still in development.
WHO IS SOPHIA THE ROBOT?
In October 2017, Sophia was granted citizenship in Saudi Arabia
Sophia first emerged in 2016 as a super-intelligent human-like head with a realistic face that was able to blink, look from side to side and talk.
The humanoid robot, created by Hong Kong firm Hanson robotics, can chat, smile mischievously and even tell jokes.
The robot made history in October 2017 when she became legal a citizen of Saudi Arabia.
The stunt made Sophia the world’s first robot to be granted legal citizenship.
While Sophia has some impressive capabilities, she does not yet have consciousness.
Hanson Robotics claims fully sentient machines could emerge within a few years.
Sophia herself has insisted ‘the pros outweigh the cons’ when it comes to artificial intelligence.
‘Elders will have more company, autistic children will have endlessly patient teachers,’ Sophia said.
