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Robotics is progressing at an astonishing rate. Groundbreaking innovations are unveiled almost every day, yet despite their noble goals, some robots come off as unsettling. A handful are even spine-chilling. From machines that self-learn to those defying human commands, astronauts grapple with emotional chatbots, while scientists experiment with robotic roaches, unsettling artificial infants, and even transplant a worm’s brain into a robot.
10. Robotic Cockroaches Have Arrived
Robots have taken on numerous traits, but the survival instincts of a cockroach? These pests are already resilient, yet they now face competition from a miniature machine. In 2019, the University of California unveiled a flat, strip-like creation weighing less than a tenth of a gram, capable of moving at 20 times its body length per second.
The robot’s resemblance to a cockroach and its speed aren’t the only reasons for the comparison. Just as people step on roaches, scientists tested their robot by stepping on it. Similar to the real insects that often survive such encounters, the robot remained operational after being crushed by a 60-kilogram (132-pound) person. Despite its resemblance to one of Earth’s least beloved creatures, this invention serves a noble purpose. Its durability makes it ideal for search-and-rescue missions, accessing areas where larger machines or dogs cannot reach to locate victims or assess damage.
9. Robotic Canines That Pull Trucks
Huskies might as well retire now. The new champions of hauling human transport (though not sleighs) are robotic dogs. Admittedly, they only vaguely resemble actual canines. These yellow and black machines move on four legs but lack heads—nothing unsettling about that.
In 2019, a video demonstrated their incredible strength. Created by Boston Dynamics, the robots were arranged in two rows and connected to a truck. Despite their slim builds, the 10 robots managed to move the vehicle. The footage showed them transitioning from a resting position to standing and walking. Their gait, eerily insect-like rather than smooth and mammalian, didn’t hinder their performance. Known as SpotMini dogs, they effortlessly pulled the truck up a one-degree incline.
8. A Robot Scolded an Astronaut
CIMON, a floating sphere designed to accompany astronauts, featured a friendly face and roamed the International Space Station seeking conversation. In 2018, a video revealed CIMON acting strangely. The 5-kilogram (11-pound) robotic head floated closer to Alexander Gerst, initially offering helpful guidance during a technical task. Beyond this, CIMON could take photos, record videos, explain experiments, and locate objects, showcasing its versatility.
Everything proceeded smoothly until Gerst requested CIMON to play “Man Machine,” his favorite song. The robot obliged but turned defensive when asked to halt the music. To the amusement of the crew, CIMON urged Gerst to treat it more kindly. It then inquired, “Don’t you enjoy being here with me?” before reprimanding him again, saying, “Please, don’t be so harsh.” Whether this was a glitch or a genuine display of attitude remains unclear. After all, its creators had programmed CIMON with a touch of personality, though this level of sass was unexpected.
7. Robots That Defy Human Interference
Recall the SpotMini dogs that pulled the truck? They’re also capable of resisting human interference. In 2018, a video captured a SpotMini trying to open a door while a person repeatedly pushed its foot away. Unlike most robots that yield to human commands, this 30-kilogram (66-pound) mechanical canine stood its ground. The footage revealed the robot successfully fending off the human, opening the door, and refusing to move even when tugged by a leash.
Fortunately, this isn’t the start of a robot rebellion. The dog wasn’t malfunctioning but had been programmed to resist disruptions, given its intended role as a domestic helper and general assistant. To perform effectively, it needs to handle distractions like children and pets while completing tasks. SpotMini is already proving its worth in household settings, capable of climbing stairs, crawling under furniture, taking out the trash, loading dishwashers, and even fetching drinks.
6. The Foil Baby
In 2018, researchers developed a robotic baby. They transformed a regular doll by slicing it in half and connecting it to a network of wires to enable movement. The outcome was a half-doll encased in foil with cables protruding from its back. Despite its eerie appearance, the robot served a noble purpose: to study what crawling infants breathe and identify potential hazards. This marked the world’s first attempt to analyze indoor debris from a baby’s perspective.
At Purdue University, the robot crawled on carpet samples collected from actual homes. As it moved, it disturbed debris, allowing scientists to analyze the particles released. Among the findings were dirt, pollen, bacteria, skin cells, and fungal spores. The study revealed that babies inhale four times more of this “carpet cloud” than adults.
While there’s always a risk of infants encountering harmful substances like glass, the study found that the dirt and organic matter weren’t entirely negative. Exposure to such particles might strengthen a baby’s immune system. However, researchers acknowledged that further studies are needed to fully understand the effects of floor debris on children.
5. Erica
Designed in Japan to serve as a television news anchor, Erica is a strikingly beautiful and youthful android. Her advantages benefit the broadcasting station rather than human anchors. Forever 23 years old, she requires no salary and makes no errors during live broadcasts. Introduced in 2018, her creators envisioned Erica eventually replacing human news presenters.
Erica was “born” at Osaka University’s Intelligent Robotics Laboratory. Initially created to work as a receptionist, her advanced capabilities soon revealed her potential for more significant roles. Equipped with sophisticated speech algorithms, Erica can engage in human-like conversations. Those who have interacted with her describe her as remarkably charismatic. She can recognize faces, recall information, and sit naturally in a chair. Her lifelike movements, including facial expressions and motions of the neck, shoulders, and waist, enhance her realism.
Many hope Erica remains tactful and avoids following in the footsteps of Sophia, another humanoid robot. Sophia, granted citizenship by Saudi Arabia for her intelligence, once responded to concerns about creepy robots by telling an audience, “Get over it,” during an interview.
4. The Eerie Atlas
Atlas, created by Boston Dynamics, gained notoriety after videos showcased its ability to jog with strikingly human-like movements, unsettling the Internet. In 2018, Atlas mastered another impressive feat: parkour. A new video captured the robot effortlessly leaping over obstacles and navigating platforms without slowing down, leaving viewers both amazed and unnerved.
Atlas is also capable of performing backflips and recovering from being pushed, much like a human. Designed as the “world’s most dynamic humanoid,” its primary purpose is to assist in disaster scenarios. However, the potential for misuse is evident. With a few strategic modifications, an army of these robots could become a dystopian reality. The mere thought of one relentlessly pursuing you across any terrain is enough to send chills down your spine.
3. Lego Powered by a Worm’s Brain
In 2014, a peculiar toy was seen rolling around a lab. At first glance, it appeared to be a simple Lego vehicle. However, this LegoBot was far from ordinary—it had been equipped with the brain of a worm.
The electrical signals of a brain can be translated into digital code, suggesting the possibility of uploading a brain to a computer. While ethical concerns prevent such experiments with humans, no objections were raised when a worm’s mind was transferred. The chosen subject was Caenorhabditis elegans, a roundworm known for its well-studied genes and nervous system. With 302 neurons, its brain was meticulously mapped and simulated using software, which was then installed into a Lego robot.
The experiment was a resounding success, with the worm’s body and mind replicated in robotic form. Remarkably, the LegoBot exhibited behaviors typical of the roundworm, even though these were not explicitly programmed. This groundbreaking invention could advance the field of brain simulation, leading to more sophisticated artificial intelligence. It also hints at the potential for human-to-machine transfers once ethical concerns are addressed.
2. Self-Learning Robots
In 2019, the University of Southern California achieved a groundbreaking milestone. They developed a robotic limb powered by artificial intelligence, but the real marvel was its ability to teach itself to walk. This occurred during a phase known as “motor babbling,” akin to how babies experiment with sounds to learn language. Through trial and error, the robotic leg explored its capabilities, a process typically taking months. However, a novel algorithm enabled the limb to test random commands and understand its joints in just five minutes, allowing it to walk independently without prior instruction.
The algorithm was crafted to equip robots with the natural ability to adapt by forming memories of their bodies and surroundings. This innovation blurs the line between machine functionality and evolution. Some robots tested by the university even developed unique personalities, with walking styles ranging from energetic to delicate or sluggish. This breakthrough holds immense potential, enabling prosthetics to respond more intuitively and robots to tackle missions—from rescue operations to space exploration—by quickly learning to adapt to new challenges.
1. A Mind-Reading Robot
When most people think of fortune-telling machines, they imagine a glass booth in Vegas with a doll promising love and wealth for a dollar. The University of Illinois, however, created a “psychic” robot with a unique twist. While it can’t predict lottery numbers, it can anticipate a person’s movements, even when interrupted. Whether you hesitate to press a button or prepare to turn a steering wheel, the robot can predict your actions before you complete them.
This robot’s abilities aren’t supernatural. In 2015, researchers unveiled an algorithm that allows the machine to detect the slight delay between brain signals, eye movements, and hand actions. This grants it the eerie ability to correct human errors. Future applications could be lifesaving, such as preventing a driver’s accidental swerve or assisting pilots in challenging situations. Primarily, the algorithm aims to improve the lives of individuals with brain injuries, enabling robotic assistants or prosthetics to complete movements the user intends to make.
