His invention is too human - and at the same time not human enough. That's what French researcher Marc Teyssier says about the MobiLimb, a smart phone robot finger that he developed and recently featured on YouTube. "Everyone tells me it's scary," says Teyssier.

He also sees it that way, says the researcher, but at the same time he finds the predominantly repellent reactions exciting. "We communicate with people through touch," he says, "We use fingers, we use movement, but when we put that on a mobile device, everyone thinks it's crazy and scary."

Teyssier's robot finger is attached to the smartphone and has several functions: the MobiLimb serves as a mobile phone holder or support, but thanks to it, the device can move across the table as if by itself. The finger can also bend and tap on the table, as well as he can stroke or tap the user while holding the device in his hand - friends can even remotely trigger.

REUTERS

Robot finger MobiLimb

Teyssier's finger is designed to help make communication via the smartphone more like personal human-to-human communication - through the fact that touch plays a role. "My initial question was: how can we integrate touch into human-computer interfaces?"

A trip to the Uncanny Valley

So far, many people seem to be skeptical about the idea that a robot's finger touches them. Researcher Teyssier, who is researching touch in communications at the Télécom engineering school ParisTech, wants to find out why.

Teyssier thinks the robot's finger is unsettling because he reacts like a person to commands, but is just a finger without a body. "I think we are in the Uncanny Valley to some extent." Technology is human, but not exactly human. The result is that the brain does not know how to process the impression: "We do not know how to react."

The so-called uncanny valley effect has long occupied researchers. In short, the hypothesis is that people are more likely to deal with abstract, fake-looking characters than figures that are supposed to look real, but do not quite make it - according to the motto "too close to humans, but not close enough". It is only from a certain level of realism that people feel empathy for replicas, be they robots or movie or video game characters. Shortly before the perfect replica, the realism-sympathy curve has a deep dent - the eerie valley, the Uncanny Valley .

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Press once from the fridge

Marc Teyssier believes that there may well be a point where a robot's finger will no longer bother people. He imagines a world in which people will one day interact with objects as they do with other humans or pets. One day, one could then go to the kitchen and let his fridge press.

"With this project we question a lot," says Teyssier about the MobiLimb: "The smartphone and the people and the human nature." And he continues, "What if all devices had arms and limbs and could touch us like a human, and I think our approach to technology would be completely different."

Maybe you would not throw a device in the trash after two years, the researcher thinks. "Maybe we would want to build a relationship with him and keep it as a friend or companion with us." Permanent software updates provided, of course.

Sex fantasies on YouTube

Incidentally, Teyssier's invention has not been entirely negative on YouTube. The presentation video also features prominent comments such as "Physicians can now perform a prostate examination remotely".

And some users also encourage his robot finger to sex fantasies: "Is the waterproof question for a friend," someone writes. Others comment on MobiLimb as "Mobi Dick", "Here comes the new iPhone XXX" or "My ex-girlfriend would love it". And another user has already come up with an advertising slogan for the device: "At last, Google Maps can lead you to the G-Spot!"

Creepy or practical? Vote here with us!

Whether you find something creepy or a meaningful innovation is often a matter of personal feeling. Here are ten examples of web service features that readers can vote on since 2016: creepy or practical? After each answer you will see how the other readers have decided.

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1. Google's new chat app Allo proposes, among other things via photo analysis answer options. If somebody sends a picture of noodles with clams, the app will formulate answers like "delicious", "Mmh, mussels" and "I love Linguini".

I think that's creepy.

I find that practical.

2. Before birthdays, Facebook sometimes encourages friends of the anniversaries to plan surprise parties for them - with a discreet technical note, of course without the knowledge of the birthday child.

I think that's creepy.

I find that practical.

3. Parents who set up a Windows 10 user account for their children are informed by default about their computer usage. Once a week, they receive an e-mail with an activity report, which includes the visited websites.

I think that's creepy.

I find that practical.

4. Anyone typing a term like "Dentist" or "Dancing" in the Google Calendar will automatically be shown a pictogram with the corresponding entry - in these cases a toothbrush cup or sports shoes.

I think that's creepy.

I find that practical.

5. The app Findface from Russia offers a face recognition: If you load a self-made picture into the app, it compares the photo with pictures from the social network VK - and indicates which user could be seen on the picture.

I think that's creepy.

I find that practical.

6. Although Twitter is less about friendships than, say, Facebook, the service occasionally asks its users if they want to indicate their birthday.

I think that's creepy.

I find that practical.

7. In Google's App Duo, you can see a live video of the caller - and even before you answer his call.

I think that's creepy.

I find that practical.

8. In Uber's app, you can create a family profile. Anyone who does this will receive a notification when a family member connected to the profile uses the app. A map can be tracked in real time, from where to where just about the partner or a child is traveling.

I think that's creepy.

I find that practical.

9. By downloading the latest Apple Store app, you get hardware purchase suggestions based on the device you're currently using, according to the motto: "For what you already have, this would fit very well here."

I think that's creepy.

I find that practical.

10. Some Samsung smartphones like the Note 4 offer a feature called Smart Stay. It ensures that the screen of the smartphone stays on as long as you look at it. The user is watched over the front camera of the mobile phone.

I think that's creepy.

I find that practical.

Thank you for participating.