You may have noticed recently there have been some huge advancements in the fields of both AI and robotics. With that has come a renewed interest in a concept called the ‘uncanny valley’. Coined by Japanese professor Masahiro Mori in the 1970s, the uncanny valley is the point at which a robot’s human likeness becomes eerily unsettling rather than endearing. Mori proposed a connection between the human likeness of an entity and the perceiver’s affinity for it. While we may have little affinity for machines without faces, we tend to feel more comfortable with objects like dolls or toy robots, which have some human-like features. However, when robots closely resemble us but exhibit subtle “uncanny” qualities, our affinity takes a sharp decline, creating the uncanny valley.
It is thought that this phenomenon can be attributed to our evolutionary history. Humans have developed an instinct to detect minor distortions in appearance or behavior that could indicate disease or potential threats. This instinct kept our ancestors safe from harm, and it continues to affect our perceptions of humanoid robots.
Researchers have found that our brains are wired to react more positively to real humans compared to humanoid beings. Even monkeys exhibit signs of discomfort and fear when confronted with overly realistic images, reinforcing the idea that our aversion to “imposters” is deeply rooted in our evolutionary biology.
To avoid the uncanny valley, most robot manufacturers have made design choices that lean away from human likeness. Some have opted for cute, cartoonish proportions, while others have created animal-like robots. This strategy seems to alleviate discomfort and improve acceptance.
In the future, familiarity and exposure to humanoid robots might reduce the effects of the uncanny valley over time. As these robots become more integrated into our lives, future generations may be less inclined to experience the eerie sensation associated with them.
But, for now, it’s probably better if robots don’t have faces. Sorry, Sophia and Ameca.