Gar's Brainstorm CUDDLEBOT (you guessed it)

Darkeyed_maleDarkeyed_male
in General

So with AI on the rise, people that are into robotics and python have some unique opportunities..

Some considerations:

How would a bot be made?
What would it be made of?
Why would anybody want a cuddlebot?

How would a bot be made?
A cuddlebot version 1 would be a stuffed animal of some sort..(we gotta wait on the woman guys)
-A stuffed bear that reacts to touch
Hydraulic controlled by stepper motors push fluid catalyst into tubes that drive muscles to contract. This would simulate a squeeze. (Think coca cola in the muscle tube and mentos introduced as the catalyst.)
If the mentos is dormant in a section of the muscle the reaction would be chemical and immediate. (More on this later)

What would it be made of?
Foam and plastic covered with soft hair

Why?
This could actually be the beginning of chemical catalyst based muscle in robots (I haven't heard of it but I'm sure it's doable)
We've been using hard surfaces for so long no one is thinking out of the box (robots should plow the path for humans.) Make them soft?

Chemical based muscles could actually store power (wind up springs) and use energy later, the battery would no longer be needed except to run the brain...(which I think should be a phone)

For too long we've used batteries, servos blah blah we need a hydraulic bot (I know Boston dynamics had some hydraulic and electric but it needs to be MOSTLY fluid based.

Call the robot? It'll have a phone number why not?

Let's start with a cute cuddlebear!

Comments

  • TxTomTxTom

    I'll stick with the human female, thank you very much.

  • IronicMaidenIronicMaiden

    If they have motors, they would make a noise. This might bother some, but others might find it soothing. The thing to make sure of with something meant to squeeze you is to make sure the motors are not powerful enough to hurt you.

    I have nothing against motors. In fact, if I had a cuddlebot, I'd want it to have a vibrate function. That can be very soothing, especially if you have sore muscles. And who doesn't have tense back muscles?

    Come to think of it, can it have a knead function as well?

  • HelesalenHelesalen

    ** Their eventual ubiquity is guaranteed.**

  • Darkeyed_maleDarkeyed_male

    @IronLemon
    Yes, the subtle vibration and massage from the cuddlebear would be therapeutic, the squeeze would help the child be comforted..it may evey have a lullaby.

    @TxTom
    The human form might be cuddlebot 3 stay tuned..the cuddlebear would probably be more of a teddy bear replacement...not sure how large they would get.

    @Helesalen
    Of course, as history has shown

  • Darkeyed_maleDarkeyed_male

    If you had a big teddybear bot that just held you and vibrated with music..would be like the body pillow..could help with back pain, support for sore joints as well..

  • ViancaVianca

    I believe at the end of the day any positive outcome of a cuddle bot would be counter productive. The point of this is human connection. Continuing to turn to computers leads us further away from humanity while the small percentage of ppl continue to capitalize on selling said bots.

    Maybe if there was a balance between cuddling a bot and a human? Idk if worth it. Id probably cry due to shame of needing a bot bc of lack of connections. Respectfully, pass. Stretch daily and exercise regularly for back. Take boron and/or colostrum to help with bones/joints per Dr Berg on youtube 😅

  • SeekerInVASeekerInVA
    edited July 2024

    It’s probably inevitable given the rapid advancement of technology.

  • Darkeyed_maleDarkeyed_male

    @Vianca
    Well...this particular cuddlebot is a teddy bear..but I do see the point in not wanting a doll to replace humans. Like in the movie A.I. (Steven Spielberg). Our humanity and the exchange of energy is priceless IMO. These interactions that we are having on this website are priceless. We will not realize this until we can't have it.

  • cuddlefaerycuddlefaery

    The point of technology is to make human lives easier and/or to fill gaps in our needs that are not already met. I would view a cuddle bot from more of an accessibility standpoint - I don't think most would truly view it as a substitute for human connection, but it could help bridge the gap until human connections can be made.

    When you have depression and/or anxiety, it becomes a vicious cycle: you feel shitty, have difficulty connecting with the world, and so you feel worse which makes it ever harder to keep reaching out. Just like platonic cuddling is not a substitute for medical mental health care, I don't think the bot should be viewed as a replacement for either therapy or human cuddles. Instead, we could think of it more the way medication or other accessibility tools are used - it's there just to help us feel better enough that we can start improving and taking the steps we need for longer term goals.

    As it is, the internet already acts as a major access tool that can help people connect more with others in ways they didn't know were possible. Will some abuse it or struggle due to lack of skills using the tool? Absolutely, but that has been true of all technology since time immemorial. People of all ages used to view cell phones and computers suspiciously because they didn't understand how to use them or what value they could bring. Over time, that has shifted to where both are now integral to how we function daily.

  • Darkeyed_maleDarkeyed_male

    @cuddlefaery
    Some great points..we will never IMO replicate a genuine hug. We could make a cool teddy bear. It will be missing life but it may aid in your sleep.

    We dream about a real, honest connection. Not a managed event calibrated and targeted, but free of space and concern.

    Our bot would remind us that a kinetic pantomime is technically possible and welcomed. But how do we simulate trust?

  • IronicMaidenIronicMaiden

    @Vianca Is it really that different from hiring someone to cuddle with you?

Sign In or Register to comment.