Seems like a solvable problem, stick some googly eyes and bunny ears on it. Maybe add speakers to make squeaking noises when it walks.

"DO NOT BE ALARMED. I AM A HARMLESS ROBOTIC ASSISTANT. I AM JUST HERE TO OBSERVE AND MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS OKAY IN THIS SECTOR."

Said in the most synthetic-sweet robot voice they can find, pouring out of the speakers every two minutes. ;)

I have absolutely no idea what you mean:

http://ew.com/tv/2017/12/29/black-mirror-metalhead-interview...

That's art-imitating-life though. The look of Metalhead was inspired by the original Boston Dynamics videos of the balance tests.

I always thought it looked very puppy like, not at all terrifying.

But that might be because i've seen videos of it like [0] where it likes to hop and bounce about (and it doesn't help that the yellow is a bit less "military robot sent to kill")

[0] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgaO45SyaO4

I enjoy rereading http://www-formal.stanford.edu/jmc/robotandbaby/robotandbaby... from time to time, I still wonder how plausible it will be that we'll end up with laws that require robots to be somewhat menacing-looking to avoid people (especially children) getting too attached to them. (In the story, household robots have "the shape of a giant metallic spider with 8 limbs: 4 with joints and 4 tentacular. ... They spoke as little as was consistent with their functions and in a slightly repellent metallic voice not associated with either sex. ... Also robots were made somewhat fragile on the outside; if you kicked one, some parts would fall off. This sometimes relieved some people's feelings.")

Some of us will always want these robots to look even more horrifying though. \m/ And for myself I've always found each of the BD robots somewhat cute and always sympathetic whenever hockey stick man bullies them.

I agree that they look terrifying. I still would buy one. Maybe that is their angle to look terrifying?

Or do you mean the uncanny valley?

Holy shit, you weren't kidding. This thing reminds me of a creature from a fantasy book I read a long time ago - the Wyrsa: http://valdemar.wikia.com/wiki/Wyrsa

> These things just look terrifying. The reversed knee joints, the square bodies, the vulture beak head, the color, all send a message of hostility. You want to put one of these things in my office or my home? Forget it.

I agree, although I don't know exactly why. Maybe it's our reptilian brain which sends a message of fear. All I want when I see this robot thing is to hit it with an axe until it does not move anymore...

These traits would make it a pretty good guard dog though.

Human perception is a funny thing.

I used to find the look off-putting, but having seen more and more videos of the thing, I sort of find it adorable.

I guess that makes sense though; some people think insects are really neat. There's bound to be some variance in human reactions to appearance.

Or hellz yeah - they’re amazing! Bring it on

Imagine in XYZ years, when the technology advances, and these things come equipped with fur, articulated joints, and lifelike facial expressions. And an AI that mimics a real dog's behavior. Woofwoof. Not sure if I am excited or creeped out.