Watch Mechanical Love

Mechanical Love is a 2007 documentary film directed by Phie Ambo. The film revolves around the life and research of Hiroshi Ishiguro, a Japanese robotics engineer, who has created a robot that looks and talks like himself. The film delves into the world of robotics and explores the complex relationship between humans and their machines.

The film begins with Ishiguro explaining his fascination with creating robots that can mimic human behavior. He believes that by developing robots that can understand human emotions and interact with them, we will be able to create a better world. The documentary then takes us on a tour of the Ishiguro Lab, where his team of researchers is busy designing and testing new robots.

Through interviews with Ishiguro and his colleagues, we learn about the challenges of building realistic robots. One of the main challenges is creating robots that can move and respond like humans. The film shows us how the team uses motion capture technology to record the movements of human actors and then uses that data to program the robots to move in a similar way.

The film also explores the ethical implications of developing robots that can mimic human behavior. Ishiguro admits that some people find his robots creepy and unsettling, and are concerned that they will replace real humans in social situations. He argues that his robots are designed to assist humans, not replace them, and that they can help improve the quality of life for people in various fields, such as healthcare and education.

The documentary then introduces us to various robots developed by Ishiguro and his team, including the famous Geminoid, which looks like a perfect replica of Ishiguro himself. We see how the Geminoid is tested and fine-tuned to respond to human emotions and interact with people in a natural way. The film also explores how the Geminoid is used in a variety of settings, from medical consultations to concerts.

The most touching part of the documentary comes when we meet a woman called Erica, who was designed to look like a western woman. We see how Erica is programmed to speak and respond to human emotions, and how she is used to help people who are socially isolated or in need of companionship. The documentary shows us how Erica interacts with people and how she is able to provide some degree of comfort and companionship to them.

Overall, Mechanical Love is an insightful and thought-provoking documentary that explores the frontiers of robotics and AI. The film presents a balanced view of the developments in this field, highlighting both the potential benefits and the ethical concerns. It invites us to reflect on the role that robots will play in our lives and what their impact will be on our society. The documentary is well-produced and engaging, and will appeal to anyone interested in the future of technology and its implications for humanity.

Mechanical Love is a 2019 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 18 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7.