Aldebaran Robotics' humanoid robot NAO is in use by dozens of universities around the world as a standardized robot platform for research. But could robots replace fictional robots in the movies?
In film, robots are often played by human beings. In Star Wars, the part of C3PO is played by Anthony Daniels. But take a look at this recent "performance" by NAO of the scene from Return of the Jedi in which C3PO tells a story to the Ewoks:
(NAO robot performs as C3PO from Star Wars)
I'm having a bit of trouble finding a really good reference for this idea, but I know there must be one. You can read about synthespians in William Gibson's Idoru, but they're digital creations.
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'What strange sensitivity! What an amazing development of science was manifested in every move and act and word of this Robot!' - Ray Cummings, 1931.
DIY Robot Scorpion Crushes It
'...it raised its front end off the ground and waved its antennae at them, then raised one armoured claw as if to snip them out of the sky.' - Neal Asher, 2008.
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'What strange sensitivity! What an amazing development of science was manifested in every move and act and word of this Robot!'
Orb Nomad Zero-Emission Electric Aircraft
'That explains how it was so easy for me to remain motionless in midair or to perch on a flagpole in imitation of a giant bird, even in the windy city of Chicago.'
DIY Robot Scorpion Crushes It
'...it raised its front end off the ground and waved its antennae at them, then raised one armoured claw as if to snip them out of the sky.'