What is an aibo?

This morning, I was awake at 4 AM.  I just didn’t feel like going back to bed after I had a Klondike ice cream bar in the wee hours of the morning. I happened to read another author’s tweet about entering a contest and decided to check it out. I didn’t have a topic for today’s post, and lo and behold there in the final judge’s bio was the term aibo robotic dog.  I wrote a series called Tomorrow’s Angels about sentient humanoid androids and avidly read anything I see about AI. Aibo (stylized aibo is Japanese for “pal” or “partner” and is a series of robotic dogs designed and manufactured by Sony. Aibo is abbreviated from Artificial Intelligence RoBO. In mid-1998—where was I? Ah, yes, living in Miami Beach, I think, with my 2 sons and my Andalusian stallion—but I digress, and the stallion wasn’t robotic.) Sony released the prototype in May of 1999, thereafter releasing new models until 2006. Most models were dogs, but other inspirations included lion cubs,, huskies, Jack Russell terriers, bull terrier, and space explorers. Only the ERS-7, ERS-110/111 and ERS-1000 versions were explicitly a "robotic dog", but the 210 can also be considered a dog. It has a Jack Russel appearance and face. In 2006, AIBO was added into the Carnegie Mellon University Robot Hall of Fame.

On 26 January 2006 Sony announced the discontinuance of AIBO and several other products in an effort to make the company more profitable. Sony's AIBO customer support was withdrawn gradually, with support for the final ERS-7M3 ending in March 2013.^[6] In July 2014, Sony stopped providing repairs for AIBO products and did not provide customer support or repair for the older AIBO robots.

In November 2017, Sony introduced a new generation of AIBO. The fourth-gen model, ERS-1000, was launched in Japan on 11 January 2018. The second lottery sale was set on 6 February 2018. The AIBO product line was developed at Sony's Computer Science Laboratory (CSL)

I know we all now want an aibo, right? Sony has launched a new Aibo robot dog in limited edition Black Sesame, following its last release in 2017.  Priced at $2,900 USD, Sony's limited edition Aibo robot dog in Black Sesame is now available on the Sony online store. They don’t have fur and don’t look really cuddly to me.

The latest Aibo robot dog has a gray coat with a choice of eye colors, i.e., blue, green, orange, and pink. In appearance it resembles the previous model, and it also features the same functions of facial recognition and everyday interactions through which it can develop its unique personality. Owners can name their robot pet, watch its growth and add new tricks through the artificial intelligence-powered by the aibo AI Cloud Plan. Pet owners can stay connected with their aibo with the “My aibo” app. In addition, gadgets ranging from playtime accessories like a bone-shaped toy, a die, and a pink ball to necessities—food and water bowls and virtual pet food — can be bought for an immersive experience.

The Alzheimer's Store advertises a robot cat that purrs and has a gentle and calming temperament. The cat interacts with its owner, and presumably other as well. They recommend it as a doll and pet therapy. The cat resembles a Ragdoll cat I owned years ago.  The price tag is a little more reasonable at $189.  Alzheimer's doll and pet therapy is a known resource in helping those with Dementia. Using a robotic or a baby doll can be a very effective way for a person with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia to decrease stress and agitation.  They also have dogs and teddy bears.

If you are interested in advanced robotics and romance, you might like my Love For Sale and Life for Sale.  Here’s the series blurb.

Tomorrow’s Angels

Mayfair Electronics has created life.

In Love for Sale, the high-tech electronics company, in black and white, offers “love for sale”. Mayfair has engineered sentient androids indistinguishable from humans. March Morgan flies to England and meets the man she has been searching for her entire life. Christian requires no programming to love March at first sight, but her past and his future soon threaten their happiness—and their lives.

In the sequel, Life for Sale, four of the Special Editions have escaped. Rebel, Christian and  March are on the run, but they have a bigger problem than his creator's plan to destroy him. They've discovered that one of the renegades has suffered a dangerous malfunction, threatening them with more than just exposure. March and Christian must stop the insane robot before someone else dies. All the evidence points to March being the killer's next victim.

Book Video:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-0_M7Zlaok

Both are available on Amazon in print and eBook.  Love for Sale is in audio on Audible. The narrator is very good and has the right accent for the character.

Happy robotic dreams!

Linda 

Humanlike Androids - The future?

 

In the 2020 Paranormal Romance Guild’s Reviewer’s Choice Awards, Life for Sale was nominated in Romance/Sci-fi and the series (Love for Sale and Life for Sale about humanlike androids) was nominated in Romance/Sci-fi-Series. How much of these books predicts the future of android technology? 

 Most. It may take 10-20 years to achieve the programming necessary for android feelings and complete autonomous movement (able to walk on human-like legs), but robot technology is on its way to achieving the Special Editions in Life for Sale and Love for Sale, my sci-fi romances about humanlike androids. The Special Editions are totally human in almost every way. They do not eat (no digestive system). In Sleep Mode, they must be near a power outlet to absorb energy. Tears and other bodily fluids must be replenished by infusions into the android’s body. This only occurs every ten years in normal use.

 To add to the pages of sci-fi happening as we speak, humanlike robots are in development that will come near to mimicking human emotions and facial expressions. These robots are in their infancy but amazing!

 Recently, Toshiba introduced Junko Chihira, a very realistic human-like android. She is 5’5”, 26 years old, and her birthday is 6/1. She works in a new tourist information center in Japan. The android speaks Japanese, Chinese, and English—handy if you work in the tourist trade. A hotel in Japan has a robot staff though I read they hat to fire ½ of their robot workers. I wonder if it was for sexual harassment! A female android named Geminoid F stars in a Japanese film from director Koji Fukada. "Sayonara" premiered at the Tokyo International Film Festival.

Erika is a creation of Osaka University, Koyo University, and ATR. She was ‘born’ in Japan in 2015 (the year Love for Sale was published). When Erika is listening, she blinks and moves her eyes and head. The following link is a YouTube video of Erika and a child, illustration AI’s possibilities with children. She is pretty and interacts well. She pauses while she processes in this conversation, but her answers do not sound at all scripted but real-time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFT7iM3FDUI&feature=youtu.be

Probably the most life-like is the android Sophia by Hanson Robotics. Sophia has appeared on The Tonight Show as well as addressed a UN committee. She has been granted citizenship by Saudi Arabia.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omgJi5-YT6U

Hanson boasts other robots, one designed to look like Einstein.

In 2005, Hanson debuted Philip K. Dick II. He was designed by David Hanson as a robotic version of the popular writer of sci-fi. The original Philip K. Dick android was lost on a flight from Dallas to San Francisco in late 2005. However, in 2011 Hanson Robotics, together with Dutch broadcasting firm VPRO, developed a new version, including state of the art computer vision technology. This robot employs 36 servomotors to power a complex and wide range of facial expressions. These days, PKD serves researchers at the Apollo Mind Initiative.

These are just a few representatives of the strides we are making in humanoid robots. The androids in my books, all products of imagination, are getting closer. In Love for Sale, the androids are being sold as the perfect lovers. Even now, robots are being used as companions for the elderly, in nursing homes, and as teachers with success.

 Would you buy one? I would.

Christian from Love for Sale and Life for Sale:

 

Interview with March Morgan Aguillard from Life for Sale

 In my sci-fi romance, Life for Sale, the heroine is March Morgan, who has now married Christian Aguillard, a sentient, entirely human-like android capable of emotions, up to and including love. In fact Christian was programmed to love March when she signed on the dotted line, paying an exorbitant price for him. But she couldn't resist once she'd met him. Would you agree he's worth it?

March, shall we begin?

What is your greatest temptation?

            In men:           Tall, blonde, blue eyes. I prefer long hair. The man must have a sense of humor and be intelligent. Charming and handsome are big bonuses. (she laughs) I’ve just described Christian. I should have asked him to come along. If you passed him on the street, you’d take a look but not because he’s an android. Because he’s a hunk.

            In food:          I’m particularly fond of seafood but won’t turn down a nice steak prepared Pittsburg style (charred on the outside; rare inside).

            In clothes:       Tadashi Shoji, but I usually can’t afford him unless I find a dress on eBay. So, I settle for pretty business suits to wear to work.

 

What is your greatest weakness (example: buying shoes)? Other than Christian? I’d have to say Shoji’s fashions though I wouldn’t rule out shoes.

 

If you could have any kind of car, what would it be?       Red 1964 Jaguar XKE

 

Your dream home - mountains or ocean? Ocean. I love to watch the waves and listen to them whispering to me. Christian and I live by Galveston Bay, and I absolutely love it. When a storm grumbles and the sea is restless, the view is exquisite. So, inspiring I want to paint. Good thought, poor resolution—I can’t even draw a straight line.

 

What is your favorite book?   Silver Metal Lover by Tanith Lee. It’s a coming of age story about a rich, young woman and a completely human-like android. I loved that book long before I met Christian. I adore Tanith Lee’s writing style. Have you ever read Dark Dance? It’s a paranormal. I’d highly recommend the Silver Metal Lover series and Dark Dance.

 

If your life were made into a movie, what actress would you want to play you and who for Christian?  For me, Marilyn Monroe, but, unfortunately, I look nothing like her. For Christian, definitely Travis Fimmel (pre-Viking days. Like this photo but imagine him a year or two older. Even now, I swoon over the half-dressed photo, do you? Hint: Christian looks just as good half-naked…or without a stitch on. (She smiles)

If you were given the opportunity to spend a day with any person, living or dead, who would it be?  Queen Victoria. She was such a power unto herself. She might have been petite like me, but she ruled Britain with the iron fist in the velvet glove. After his death, she mourned her Albert for the rest of her life. That is the kind of love I dreamed of but could never find until, a tiny ad in a woman’s magazine advertising Love for Sale. With great trepidation, I followed my heart and he was waiting at the end of my journey. I saw him and the emptiness inside disappeared. I had to have him. I cleaned out my 401K to buy him, you understand, but despite the danger we now face, I don’t regret signing on that dotted line or one penny spent.

 Do you have a hobby?   I read quite a lot. I have been known to crochet a bad hat. I’ve just taken up snorkeling in preparation for our cruise from the Turks and Caicos. We heard that the snorkeling was fantastic at Smith’s Reef on the largest of the 40 islands (called Provid by locals) that make up the T&C. Christian won’t have any problem managing the fins, but there’s a short circuit somewhere between my brain and my feet.

 How do you maintain an android?  Believe it or not, they come with operating instructions and a maintenance guide as well as guidelines on how to deactivate your android, heaven forbid. Each has a kill switch hidden in different places on the body. I feel like that would be murder. Since they are basically built to be immortal, the only real concerns is the liquid to use in tears, for example. There are other fluids that must be replenished, but this is a PG post. The reservoirs, with too much use…can run dry. (she blushes) At that point, you can order said liquids from Mayfair and DIY, or you can return to Mayfair to have it done. Under the circumstances, you can return to Mayfair and let them do it. Ours aren’t normal at all. We and three other Special Editions are on the run from their creator.

 As to the care and feeding of your perfect lover, he or she must go into Sleep Mode somewhere near a power outlet, not necessarily an electrical plug-in but any power source will do, and will come awake refreshed and ready to go. The Special Editions do not have a digestive system and do not eat. Other than these minor lacks, you can’t tell them from human. Immediately, and today, I continue to, think of Christian as human. His brain may be a computer and his heart a central processor, but he is the man I love.

~*~

Life for Sale is Book II in the Tomorrow's Angels series. The first book is Love for Sale. Here's the blurb for the series.

Tomorrow’s Angels: Series Blurb

 Mayfair Electronics has created life.

In Love for Sale, the high-tech electronics company, in black and white, offers “love for sale”. Mayfair has engineered sentient androids indistinguishable from humans. March Morgan flies to England and meets the man she has been searching for her entire life. Christian requires no programming to love March at first sight, but her past and his future soon threaten their happiness—and their lives.

In the sequel, Life for Sale, four of the Special Editions have escaped. Rebel, Christian and  March  are on the run, but they have a bigger problem than his creator's plan to destroy him. They've discovered that one of the renegades has suffered a dangerous malfunction, threatening them with more than just exposure. March and Christian must stop the insane robot before someone else dies. All the evidence points to March being the killer's next victim.

Excerpt of Life for Sale:

March shivered again, rested her face on his chest. “Hold me until I stop trembling.” Tears she didn’t want him to see welled in her eyes. The whole ghastly business had to be hard on a man encoded to protect not harm humans.

Her AI angel stroked her hair, and a sob broke through her control. She squeezed her eyes shut, battling tears.

“Shush, dear. It’s over now,” but he didn’t sound confident. The thing buried in the backyard could tear them apart or worse.  Any slight misstep, and they both faced Death in all his chilling glory.

“I love you,” she whispered.

He brushed a kiss to her lips and pulled her closer.

For some time, they stood. taking comfort from holding each other and simply being, then, hand-in-hand, they walked, when they wanted to run, to the house. Christian had switched on the overhead light in the anteroom. In the brilliance, it was possible to pretend the past few minutes hadn’t occurred. Again the tears threatened, and he held her until she’d regained control. She straightened, gazing into his eyes. Battered emotions stained them darker blue. Mayfair hadn’t missed even that small detail. He cradled her face between his hands and kissed her tenderly, his lips soft and his body close. In a lifetime of searching, she’d never have found anyone like him. If she were to lose him…she couldn’t imagine living without him.

Once, Mayfair had taken him away.  They could do it again—and there was absolutely nothing she could do about it. The golden ring on the third finger of his left hand should protect Christian from Mayfair, but who’d investigate a missing robot, or even believe her in the first place?

With almost religious fervor, she and Christian had adhered to Mayfair’s first commandment. Above all, the company demanded secrecy. The Special Editions passed for human, and no one was ever to know that Mayfair had engendered life, but at any moment Aguillard, the wild card for whom the Christian line was named, might renege on the freedom he’d grudgingly bestowed.

Her cell rang, ending their moment of respite.

Buy Link

~*~

Happy Holidays, everyone! Be happy, be healthy, and have fun.

 Linda  

Chinese AI News Anchor by Linda Nightingale

I guess because I’ve written two books about human-like androids, my friends always email me anything to do with these sophisticated robots. We can now move on from the Houston love dolls, to China. I was aware that Japan was doing a lot of research on these human robots. However, the Chinese have upped the ante with an AI news anchor.

"This is my very first day at Xinhua News Agency," says a sharply dressed artificial intelligence news anchor. "I look forward to bringing you the brand new news experiences."

The AI "learns from live broadcasting videos by himself and can read texts as naturally as a professional news anchor," Xinhua says. Not surprisingly, some disagree about whether the news anchor is really like a human. Check out the following link and decide for yourself what you think of the English-speaking news anchor. Personally, I think he is amazing and looks very human-like, down to his facial movements. I would so like to see this news anchor!

https://www.npr.org/2018/11/09/666239216/ai-news-anchor-makes-debut-in-china

According to Xinhua, the AI "learns from live broadcasting videos by himself and can read texts as naturally as a professional news anchor."

The AI was unveiled at the World Internet Conference in China's Zhejiang province and was designed jointly with the Chinese search engine company, Sogou. Unfortunately, the article by Meredith Kennedy doesn’t mention who the join developer was.

I know a hotel in Japan plans to use AI in its reception. Although, Hotel Henn-na had to fire half of its robot staff after they began to malfunction and couldn’t handle simple tasks.  The last article I can find on the subject is dated January 25, 2019. I wonder what the final outcome was.

On Friday, on the robot scene, reporting from SC.

Novelly yours,

Linda

~<>~

In my two android novels, the robots are much more sophisticated. In fact, you can’t distinguish them from human. They feel like we do, react like we do, and being sold as the love for the lonely. But is that their real purpose?  

Clue: No.

Love for Sale, the first in the Tomorrow’s Angels series, is on sale for $.99 for a limited time. The sequel Life for Sale is now on preorder.

Tomorrow’s Angels: Series Blurb
Mayfair Electronics has created life.
In Love for Sale, the high-tech electronics company, in black and white, offers “love for sale”. Mayfair has engineered sentient androids indistinguishable from humans. March Morgan flies to England and meets the man she has been searching for her entire life. Christian requires no programming to love March at first sight, but her past and his future soon threaten their happiness—and their lives.
In the sequel, Life for Sale, four of the Special Editions have escaped. Rebel, Christian and  March  are on the run, but they have a bigger problem than his creator's plan to destroy him. They've discovered that one of the renegades has suffered a dangerous malfunction, threatening them with more than just exposure. March and Christian must stop the insane robot before someone else dies. All the evidence points to March being the killer's next victim.

BUY LINKS:

Life for Sale - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08D2Z5XLC

Love For Sale - https://www.amazon.com/Love-Sale-Linda-Nightingale-ebook/dp/B00XCZ6EVY

 Linda Nightingale writes across the romance genres (fantasy, sci-fi, contemporary, paranormal) and dark fantasy--whatever captures her Muse's imagination. She is a The Wild Rose Press author, but has a paranormal anthology due for an October release from Class Act Books. She's lived in many places here and abroad, but settled in the big state of Texas. She's a mother, a retired legal assistant, and a dreamer.

Houston Robot Brothel

Houston is surprised and the Mayor is already on his soapbox about Houston’s debut robot brothel. I’m surprised that the Toronto chose Houston of all places. I just left Houston, and I remember it as very traditional and not very liberal. So, I am amazed.

Last week, a Toronto businessman announced the opening of the establishment by the end of

September or early October. Not giving authorities much time to close the joint. Now, I’m all for

robot sex dolls. (Aside: they do come in male models, but even if I could afford one, I wouldn’t buy

myself a man). He already operates such a brothel in Toronto.

Houston’s brothel is the nation’s first. (I can’t believe it! Did he do his research?) I bet Joel Osteen

will be on this fast.

At the brothel, the patron can either pay to rent a doll or purchase one. Here’s a YouTube video on the

dolls, including what they look like.

I found out about the dolls on Facebook. A friend of mine in Texas messaged me. She said, “Love or 

Sale.”  My book Love For Sale is about sentient androids totally indistinguishable from human,

who’re programmed as loving companions. Oddly enough, Love For Sale is set in Houston. Go

figure. I’m psychic!

BLURB:

March Morgan believes in true love, but her faith in finding her soul mate is slowly fading.

She’s been married but never in love.  So, it’s a miracle to find that fantasy exists on the last page of a women’s journal.  Mayfair Electronics, Ltd., in a glossy black and white ad, offers Love for Sale.  The London firm has engineered sentient androids indistinguishable from human.  She flies to England and meets the man she has been searching for her entire life.

Christian requires no programming to love March at first sight.  He’s handsome, cultured…absolutely perfect…and a little different from the other androids.  He has an unexpected independent streak.

March signs on the dotted line, buying her dream man.  They return to Houston, but soon her past and his future threaten their Happily Ever After—indeed their lives. (Available in audio, eBook and print).  5-Stars  and available on Amazon.

EXCERPT:

Motionless, she watched the parade of beauty, but none of them struck the special chord that would make her heart sing. They can be customized, March reminded herself.  Still, it took more than looks to make her fall in love.

Then he strode through the door, and her heart did a double back flip. She inhaled a soft gasp.  He was perfect, no customization needed.  The only programming required was a sense of humor and an intense libido.  Lord, she wanted to touch him, run her fingers through his hair and kiss that luscious mouth.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."  His voice defined musical and played that special chord she'd dreamed of.  "I was on the phone."

The Special Editions had gathered around her.  The auburn haired woman whispered a laugh.  "Is there any need for more than one introduction, Ms. Morgan?"

That someone was speaking barely registered.  March didn't respond.  She was speechless and couldn't peel her gaze off the most beautiful man she'd ever seen.  His eyes were crystalline blue, his hair wheat colored.  She'd wanted sparks.  She'd gotten fireworks!  No way in hell was she leaving London without him.

Spellbound, March was drawn one step toward perfection, her willful eyes traveling over his body, pausing at his zipper, sliding down his long legs.  The wasted years looped through her memory, regret stinging her eyes.

Melissa squeezed her hand.  "Ah, you like our blond."  She beckoned.  "Come, Christian."

In tight jeans and a tux jacket with plaid cummerbund and bow tie, her dream man paused in the light of a crystal and gold chandelier.  His shoulder-length hair shone like silk.  Mischief sparkled in his eyes.  Full lips parted on a smile, his teeth white and even.  March loved a beautiful smile, and everything inside her melted.

~~~~~~~~~

Morally, I don’t see the robot brothel degrading machines when compared to human women being

degraded in similar circumstances. As to men becoming addicted, are they not in danger of becoming

addicted to human establishments now in operation in this country?

On the news front, Happy Wednesday, Linda.