An anthropomimetic machine is a robot that micics a human in all different forms: externally as well as internally. Researchers in Europe went about creating their anthropomimetic machine because, in the past, robots externally were able to mimic humans; however, once they were opened up, it was obvious that they were a robot with all the bolts and screws. What they were hoping to do was develop and create a robot that was able to respond and react to different stimuli that other robots would be unable to detect. More importantly, researchers hoped to bridge the gap between robot and human.

How does an Anthropomimetic Machine Work?

Inside the robot, there is a skeletal system that is made up of thermoplastic polymers. A thermoplastic polymer is one that turns to liquid when heated and turns into a very glassy state when it is sufficiently cooled. The reason they are used is because they are much easier to mold due to the ability to melt them into liquids and then freeze them back into the shape desired. This is more efficient as well as cost effective than other ways of creating artificial skeletons such as thermosetting polymers. More important for the creation of a skeletal system is that it is incredibly flexible which allows the robot to move around in a more effective fashion.

This thermoplastic polymer skeleton act as actuators that correspond to each muscle and kiteline of the robot’s body as tendons. The tendons in the human body act as the connectors between the bones and the muscles; therefore, these actuators make it possible for the thermoplastic polymer to really move the body of the robot around.

However, the important part is that the robot react to different environments. This is through the creation of some basic cognitive characteristics. By developing some rudimentary sensory-motor controls in the robot, the anthropomimetic machine will be able to understand when it is stepping on something that might not be stable for it. This development will allow the robot to begin developing some forms of intelligence. As the memory of the robot is further developed, it will remember that stepping on something in such a way is not advantageous to its survival.

Protests to This Technology

There are protests to this technology, though, because people fear the idea of a robot that has cognitive abilities. They feel that, as the robots become more self-aware, they will desire the same power and control that humans do. Movies that support this theory are ones such as the Terminator. However, these protests align with conspiracy theorists and are typically looked down upon.