Robotics is a sphere of research that has been developing rapidly in recent decades. It is a discipline that incorporates a wide range of different scholarly practices and scientific studies. The role of robots in the modern role is invaluable, since they are used in many areas of life, such as entertainment, education, healthcare, etc. There are, however, certain concerns among large populations regarding the way robots are portrayed in media and developed in science. The feeling of uneasiness caused by the humanoid appearance of some robotic models is widely known as the “uncanny valley” phenomenon (Mathur et al., 2020, p. 1). Themes based on this phenomenon were used in many popular artworks, movies being the most common examples of these portrayals.
It can be suggested that the emotional response characterized by uneasiness emerged as a result of the images of humanoid robots used in the modern culture, mostly in the tense moments and scenes. However, the creators often use such images as a means to convey a feeling of uneasiness and tension, so it may be difficult to define what is the original cause of the “uncanny valley” response. More and more often, scientists are applying realistic human features to the robot models they create; as a result, the phenomenon in question can present more problems in the future. Therefore, it is important to gather statistical data and identify the percentage of individuals who experience or are likely to experience this response. Examining different patterns present in these populations will also be a beneficial step to learn more about the special responses different people have in relation to this experience.
Reference
Mathur, M. B., Reichling, D., LUNARDINI, F., Geminiani, A., Antonietti, A., Ruijten, P., Levitan, C., Nave, G., Manfredi, D., Bessette-Symons, B., Szuts, A., & Aczel, B. (2020). Uncanny but not confusing: Multisite study of perceptual category confusion in the uncanny Valley. Computers in Human Behavior, 103(1), 21-30.