Spelunking in the Uncanny Valley

The video explores the concept of the uncanny valley, a phenomenon where human-like robots or characters evoke unease. Originating from Masahiro Mori's 1970 essay, the uncanny valley describes a dip in likability as robots become too human-like. The idea gained traction in pop culture, notably with the 2004 film Polar Express. Research on the phenomenon has produced mixed results, with various hypotheses proposed, including pathogen avoidance and violation of expectation. Despite ongoing studies, the exact cause remains elusive. The uncanny valley highlights our ability to distinguish between humans and robots, a skill that may be valuable in the future.

How do researchers study the uncanny valley, and what have they found?

What hypotheses have been proposed to explain the uncanny valley effect?

What implications does the uncanny valley have for the future of robotics and animation?