I believe the disire to "f" a robot is the primary driving force of all technological advancement.

I mean, we lready know 75% of Japan's GNP is focused on developing "f-able" robots...

Let me guess: this article was written by a woman, right?

Because that would explain why the incredible achievements that this scientist has made in the fields of robotics and artificial intelligence would be described as creepy, and why this article solely focusses on the fact that this scientist has chosen his androids to be female. Feeling a bit threatened are you?

Because if you are: don't be. The only men who would prefer buying an android like this over trying to find a flesh and blood girlfriend are sad little nerds who lack the social skills to have a real relationship. In other words: men that any selfrespecting woman wouldn't be interested in anyways.

This might come as a shock to the writer, but most people, even females, find the female form to be more aesthetically pleasing than the male or androgynous form. Plus the female form is less intimidating. And also, men are far more likely to purchase expensive toys like this than women are. Combine these facts and any logical person who intends to make money with an android project like this would come to the conclusion that the female form is the only logical way to go. But apparently you were not intelligent enough to understand this. Or you simply thought that ridiculing this man would give you more hits than actually writing an objective journalistic article about his amazing scientific accomplishments.

Shame on you!

Jack,
I heartily agree.
Though I enjoy seeing the stuff posted on this site, the commentary, thinly veiled as articles, often read as if they were written by Jr. High students. I find that too often the writers tend towards ridicule. I understand that it is there prerogative to do so, it is just childish.

Kudos to Le Trung.

This article is fine. Aiko is incredibly creepy, but this article wouldn't be here if that's all she was. She's a neat piece of technology; that's why she's here. She's a neat piece of technology that happens to be creepy. ( Keep in mind that I'm someone who has watched the shows he's watched, I know where he gets his inspiration and I understand where he is coming from. ) Le Trung is creepy because he made her the way he did and Aiko is creepy because she is in the zone of 'artificial people' where she looks human enough for us to recognize what she is supposed to be but not human enough to for us to be completely comfortable with her. It's called the "Uncanny Valley"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncanny_valley
It is not a scientific term but the hypothesis by a Japanese roboticist. It's a hotly debated term and not everyone is affected by this 'valley' equally, but we do see this occurring in recent years, which is interesting because this 'theory' came to be in the 70s, well before modern robotics.
Take for example the Japanese professor who 'cloned' himself with a robot:
http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/21/hiroshi-ishiguro-builds-his-evil-android-twin-geminoid-hi-1/
It is very easy to see which one is the real one. His clone is extremely life-like; however, while it looks human enough for our minds to consider it to be 'human', it is different enough for us to consider it to be ill, deformed, or otherwise 'unhealthy'. I believe that is the cause of the valley, that we recognize ourselves but an 'ourselves' that should be avoided for our own safety, like the reaction we have to people with skin conditions.
Obviously, Aiko is much more mannequin-like than Mr. Ishiguro's clone, and, for me at least, that's why she's closer to the bottom of the valley than he is. That is why she is creepy. Of course, being built by a man who has watched Chobits is another reason..

Well, take a look at this story about the same robot in the Pulitzer Prize winning Daily News and you might agree that the dvice post showed a whole lot more class and restraint-> http://tinyurl.com/6mjnub

HEY. I want a male robot built to serve me.

;-)

Umm...it *is* creepy. It may be an amazing achievement in robotics, but look at what he's built into it. Why put in an "array of sensors" that allows it to "also function as an intimate companion" if you don't intend to use them?

Basically, it looks like this guy wanted to build a female sex slave and domestic robot. Even if that was not his intent, that's how it comes across from his own website. (Seriously, the reclining half-naked shot?)

Yes, it's creepy and F***ed up. Do they have it in a blonde? But seriously, it had to get there eventually...one more slip down the slope to Stepford. Our society had become so steeped in shamelessness that we wouldn't know decency from depravity anymore anyway.

Fellows, marriage is a quickly fading institute w/ now, 50-60% divorce rates. Realize, if this was a "talking" pet goldfish or a cat, there would be no complaints and more likely than not, a lot of people would love it, unconditionally. It's only that it threatens the final stranglehold on people's freedoms and desires, the male-female relationship and subsequent family structure, that it poses as a cultural threat.

See Futurama's, "Don't Date Robots"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uu0TXl15PgU

Let's only hope that we're all alone in space because this is inevitable.

i want to see robot's video.

Folks, I'm curious, why are you threatened by a Bot?

I mean there are people who spend countless hours at virtual reality places like "Second Life" and they're basically interacting with computerized graphical avatars. So at some point, these UI platforms will offer A.I. avatars who function, not a whole lot different from a regular person online.

So the next step, is when that VR type of programming gets interfaced with an actual android. Well, looks like Mr Le is somewhat of a pioneer here and has already leapfrogged the competition. All and all, this is just the first phase of a brave new world where people will be very self-sufficient.

sexy doll

I'm a lonely FemBOT. I need a MALE ROBOT.