When Will We Trust Robots?

Kittenman writes "The BBC magazine has an article on human trust of robots. 'As manufacturers get ready to market robots for the home it has become essential for them to overcome the public's suspicion of them. But designing a robot that is fun to be with — as well as useful and safe — is quite difficult.' The article cites a poll done on Facebook over the 'best face' design for a robot that would be trusted. But we still distrust them in general. 'Eighty-eight per cent of respondents [to a different survey] agreed with the statement that robots are "necessary as they can do jobs that are too hard or dangerous for people," such as space exploration, warfare and manufacturing. But 60% thought that robots had no place in the care of children, elderly people and those with disabilities.' We distrust the robots because of the uncanny valley — or, as the article puts it, that they look unwell (or like corpses) and do not behave as expected. So, at what point will you trust robots for more personal tasks? How about one with the 'trusting face'?" It seems much more likely that a company will figure out sneaky ways to make us trust robots than make robots that much more trustworthy.

Re:A robot with a human-like face is a lie

[Concerned Onlooker]

Or until it starts saying, "Hey, baby, want to kill all humans?"

Re:A robot with a human-like face is a lie

[davester666]

If it looks like an industrial meat grinder, my junk ain't going into it.

Re:A robot with a human-like face is a lie

[locater16]

Speak for yourself meatbag! I mean, uhh- gross! Ew, yeah that's, that's sure not, what I would want. A human, an ordinary everyday human. Nothing different about me. All glory to the humans, down with those dirty disgusting robots! That I'm not one of, by the way.

Re:A robot with a human-like face is a lie

[lxs]

Dear handler,
Tonight aminorex had friends over.
Twice the amount of dishes! :-/
Life is a drag.
Get me out of here.

Yours, Robomaid.

Re:A robot with a human-like face is a lie

[Razgorov Prikazka]

After several years of dating, including a fair deal of beer-goggled-1-night-stands with 'persons' that were merely technically female. Some of those would actually make an industrial meat grinder look like a reasonable option. Even the meat grinders that have MRM/MSM/MDM options would look lovely compared to them (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mechanically_separated_meat)
Anyway I did put my junk in those ladies and here are some ProTips for you when encountering an industrial meat grinder in your hours of despair:

Pro-Tip # 1 > Do not despair, in stead undress and roll 1d20 for initiative.
Pro-Tip # 2 > Turn off the lights (ALL of them! It is vitally important that you do not see a thing otherwise Mr. Limpyman will visit you...)
Pro-Tip # 3 > Get drunk / stoned out of your brains (or both)
Pro-Tip # 4 > Turn on some Barry White to drown out the whizzing, whhrring and buzzing noises (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0I6mhZ5wMw)
Pro-Tip # 5 > Once done give in: $sudo robodoll --pour-drink --hand-cigarettes --auto-clean-all

I hope these tips will help you get over your anxiety of our sexy-meatgrinding-overlordesses.