In an article that seems to have been written with a wry nod to Mittens Willard RMoney, the New York Times today is delightful.
A Robot With a Reassuring Touch
---informs us that:
Robotics designers are trying to develop machines that can emulate human gestures and positions.
and that
--the robot will peer at you with interest....The sensation that Baxter conveys is not creepy, but benign, perhaps even disarmingly friendly.
Not creepy? Must be an advanced model.
At least one conclusion seems exceedingly unlikely:
Soon, Dr. Brooks predicts, robots will be mingling with humans, routinely and safely.