1 May 2014
THE SHORT ANSWER (TSA)
Well, explaining what an android is should be easy. But, sadly, like so many other words, the meaning of “android” is spreading to things that didn’t use to be called “androids.”
Not so long ago, an android was (1) a machine that “does work,” a robot, (2) with the general shape and movements of a human being. The similarity could be a bit rough
Automobile manufacturing plants are full of robots, that seem to be little more than metal arms that tighten screws and bolts. These aren't androids. But an android doesn’t have to look exactly like a human being. A robot with a human-like structure (shape) and movements, at least, used to be close enough.
The fictional robot, R2D2, from the film, Star Wars, doesn’t look anything like a human being. But with two “arms” and something that sort of looks like a leg, it’s close enough to be called an android. In the case of C3PO, the resemblance to a human being is closer (notwithstanding the stiff gold skin).
I used the two fictional robots from the film, Star Wars, as examples because those movies gave the language a new word related to android – “droid.” The shortened version of “android,” used in the film, quickly caught-on and entered the language.
But, from there, things become more complicated. The word “android” has developed two separate meanings.
ANDROIDS OF THE FIRST TYPE: MECHANICAL SIMULACRA
Today, many only call a robot an android if it is, also, a simulacrum. Sorry, but now I have to define “simulacrum.” I could write a shorter definition, but not a clearer one than the following: A simulacrum must be two things: (1) It must look exactly like something else (so much so, you might be fooled); and (2) it must not actually be the thing that it looks like.
So, the modern android is supposed to be shaped exactly like a human being. If it makes a sound, it should sound like a human being. Many agree that it should even have skin that looks, if not feels, like the skin of a human being.
Japan’s DER 2 is the same height as a human being and can move its arms, legs and even twist with fluid human-like motion. Korea’s EveR-1, is an interpersonal communications android, which not only speaks, but displays human facial expressions. Most of the modern android prototypes are gynoids.
What’s a gynoid?
Gynoid means something “in the human female form” or “shaped like a human female.” The word’s meaning has expanded and, now, is used to describe “human female-like” robots. What’s the term for “male-like” robots? I don’t know that there is one. All the advanced prototypes seemed to be female. Or they did until the makers of Japan’s Actroid robots got tired of being asked why they only developed androids in a female form. So, they built an exact replica of their gynoid, but with short-haired wig and no facial make-up. Voila! – An android shaped like a human male? Well, not quite, but an android with (apparent) short hair who’s not wearing any make-up.
Male version of the Actroid android exhibition
But simulacrum isn’t the only meaning of the term android. Another very different usage and meaning has developed.
ANDROIDS OF THE SECOND TYPE: CYBORGS & BIOROBOTIC ANDROIDS
In science fiction, the term android is used to describe the combination of mechanical and biologically, living, organic "parts" in the same organism. (Yes, exactly like The Six Million Dollar Man.) Such combinations are technically called cyborgs. (By the way, “cyborg” is the noun. “Bionic” is the adjective.) So, if a person is a cyborg, their physical functions are said to be bionic -- a combination of the organic and the mechanical. (It certainly sounds better than “cyborg-ic”).
The term android has also been used to describe purely biological organisms that are unnatural in the sense of having been created by human genetic engineers. These “biorobotic androids” are “genetically engineered creature[s] composed entirely of organic substance.” Where does this definition come from? The press kit given out before the release of the film Blade Runner. Based on a science fiction novel written by Philip K. Dick, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, the word “android” was removed from the film’s script, and replaced with the word, “replicant.”
[Did I say, “The Short Answer?” Well, then, this is embarrassing.]
THE SHORT ANSWER (TSA)
Well, explaining what an android is should be easy. But, sadly, like so many other words, the meaning of “android” is spreading to things that didn’t use to be called “androids.”
Not so long ago, an android was (1) a machine that “does work,” a robot, (2) with the general shape and movements of a human being. The similarity could be a bit rough
Automobile manufacturing plants are full of robots, that seem to be little more than metal arms that tighten screws and bolts. These aren't androids. But an android doesn’t have to look exactly like a human being. A robot with a human-like structure (shape) and movements, at least, used to be close enough.
The fictional robot, R2D2, from the film, Star Wars, doesn’t look anything like a human being. But with two “arms” and something that sort of looks like a leg, it’s close enough to be called an android. In the case of C3PO, the resemblance to a human being is closer (notwithstanding the stiff gold skin).
I used the two fictional robots from the film, Star Wars, as examples because those movies gave the language a new word related to android – “droid.” The shortened version of “android,” used in the film, quickly caught-on and entered the language.
But, from there, things become more complicated. The word “android” has developed two separate meanings.
ANDROIDS OF THE FIRST TYPE: MECHANICAL SIMULACRA
Today, many only call a robot an android if it is, also, a simulacrum. Sorry, but now I have to define “simulacrum.” I could write a shorter definition, but not a clearer one than the following: A simulacrum must be two things: (1) It must look exactly like something else (so much so, you might be fooled); and (2) it must not actually be the thing that it looks like.
So, the modern android is supposed to be shaped exactly like a human being. If it makes a sound, it should sound like a human being. Many agree that it should even have skin that looks, if not feels, like the skin of a human being.
Japan’s DER 2 is the same height as a human being and can move its arms, legs and even twist with fluid human-like motion. Korea’s EveR-1, is an interpersonal communications android, which not only speaks, but displays human facial expressions. Most of the modern android prototypes are gynoids.
What’s a gynoid?
Gynoid means something “in the human female form” or “shaped like a human female.” The word’s meaning has expanded and, now, is used to describe “human female-like” robots. What’s the term for “male-like” robots? I don’t know that there is one. All the advanced prototypes seemed to be female. Or they did until the makers of Japan’s Actroid robots got tired of being asked why they only developed androids in a female form. So, they built an exact replica of their gynoid, but with short-haired wig and no facial make-up. Voila! – An android shaped like a human male? Well, not quite, but an android with (apparent) short hair who’s not wearing any make-up.
Male version of the Actroid android exhibition
But simulacrum isn’t the only meaning of the term android. Another very different usage and meaning has developed.
ANDROIDS OF THE SECOND TYPE: CYBORGS & BIOROBOTIC ANDROIDS
In science fiction, the term android is used to describe the combination of mechanical and biologically, living, organic "parts" in the same organism. (Yes, exactly like The Six Million Dollar Man.) Such combinations are technically called cyborgs. (By the way, “cyborg” is the noun. “Bionic” is the adjective.) So, if a person is a cyborg, their physical functions are said to be bionic -- a combination of the organic and the mechanical. (It certainly sounds better than “cyborg-ic”).
The term android has also been used to describe purely biological organisms that are unnatural in the sense of having been created by human genetic engineers. These “biorobotic androids” are “genetically engineered creature[s] composed entirely of organic substance.” Where does this definition come from? The press kit given out before the release of the film Blade Runner. Based on a science fiction novel written by Philip K. Dick, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, the word “android” was removed from the film’s script, and replaced with the word, “replicant.”
[Did I say, “The Short Answer?” Well, then, this is embarrassing.]