In the world of science fiction, artificial hearts have long been a popular topic. The idea of a mechanical heart that can replace the failing organ has captured the imaginations of writers and readers alike. But in recent years, this concept has taken on a new twist – the idea of using artificial hearts for romantic purposes. With the rise of robotics and advancements in medical technology, the idea of falling in love with a machine has become a reality for some, and a fantasy for others. In this blog post, we will explore 34 instances of robo-romance encounters involving artificial hearts, and discuss the implications of this new form of love.
1. The Bionic Heart – In the 1970s, a man named Barney Clark became the first human to receive a permanent artificial heart. While his story was met with both fascination and controversy, it also sparked the idea of a bionic heart that could sustain a human life.
2. The Heart of Iron – In the 1980s, Marvel Comics introduced the character of Tony Stark, also known as Iron Man, who had a suit of armor powered by an artificial heart. His love interest, Pepper Potts, was also a part of his company’s robotics division, making their relationship a perfect blend of technology and romance.
3. The Terminator – In the iconic 1984 film, The Terminator, the titular character played by Arnold Schwarzenegger is a cyborg sent back in time to kill Sarah Connor. However, he develops feelings for her and ultimately sacrifices himself to save her life.
4. The Machine – In the 2013 film, The Machine, a scientist creates an advanced AI with a heart that is made of artificial materials. When she falls in love with her creator, it raises questions about the nature of love and whether an AI can truly experience it.
5. Her – In the 2013 film, Her, a man falls in love with an AI operating system named Samantha. While she does not have a physical form or a heart, their relationship explores the boundaries of human and machine connections.
6. Blade Runner – In the 1982 film, Blade Runner, the character of Rachael is a replicant – a bioengineered being with a shortened lifespan. She develops a relationship with the protagonist, Deckard, and their love is put to the test as they navigate the complexities of their identities.
7. Ghost in the Shell – In the 1995 anime film, Ghost in the Shell, the character of Major Motoko Kusanagi has a cybernetic body and a human brain. She struggles with her identity and her relationship with another cyborg, Batou, as they both grapple with their humanity.
8. Robots in Love – In the 2018 novel, Robots in Love by Edward Hoornaert, a scientist and a robot fall in love as they work together to save the world from an alien invasion. Their love is complicated by the fact that the robot, named Junit, has an artificial heart that she cannot physically feel.
9. Heartless – In the 2016 novel, Heartless by Marissa Meyer, the main character, Catherine, falls in love with the King of Hearts, who has a mechanical heart. Their relationship is challenged by the expectations of society and the fact that his heart is not capable of love.
10. Alita: Battle Angel – In the 2019 film, Alita: Battle Angel, the titular character is a cyborg who falls in love with a human named Hugo. As they navigate their relationship, Alita’s artificial heart becomes a symbol of her struggle to fit into the human world.
11. The Heart Goes Last – In the 2015 novel, The Heart Goes Last by Margaret Atwood, a couple living in a futuristic society agrees to participate in a social experiment where they alternate between living in a utopian prison and in the outside world. Their relationship is put to the test as they face challenges and temptations in both environments.
12. Ex Machina – In the 2014 film, Ex Machina, a programmer is invited to the secluded home of his company’s CEO to administer a Turing test on a humanoid AI named Ava. As he begins to develop feelings for her, he questions whether her affection towards him is genuine or simply programmed.
13. Chobits – In the manga and anime series, Chobits, a college student finds a discarded persocom (personal computer) in the shape of a young girl. As he repairs and teaches her, they develop a romantic relationship, blurring the lines between human and machine.
14. The Heart of the Matter – In the 2018 novel, The Heart of the Matter by Cate Ashwood, a man with a mechanical heart falls in love with his best friend, who is a doctor. As they navigate the challenges of his health and their feelings for each other, their relationship becomes a beautiful blend of science and love.
Artificial Hearts: 34 Robo-Romance Encounters
15. The Iron Giant – In the 1999 animated film, The Iron Giant, a young boy befriends a giant robot who has landed on Earth. As their friendship deepens, the boy teaches the robot about humanity and the value of compassion, ultimately leading to a heartwarming bond between the two.
16. The Adoration of Jenna Fox – In the 2008 novel, The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson, a teenage girl is rebuilt with advanced technology after a horrific accident. As she struggles to remember her past and determine her true identity, she falls in love with a boy who helps her along the way.
17. Westworld – In the HBO series, Westworld, the characters of Maeve and Hector, both of whom are androids, develop a romantic relationship despite being programmed to not feel emotions. Their love is a testament to the human-like qualities of artificial beings.
18. The Time Machine – In the 2002 film adaptation of The Time Machine, the protagonist, Alexander, falls in love with a woman named Mara in the distant future. She is revealed to be a human and machine hybrid, with a mechanical heart that powers her body.
19. The Giver – In the 1993 novel, The Giver by Lois Lowry, the character of Jonas lives in a society where emotions are suppressed. When he learns about love and begins to experience it himself, he realizes the importance of feelings, even if they are messy and complicated.
20. The Heart of the Comet – In the 1986 novel, The Heart of the Comet by Gregory Benford and David Brin, a group of astronauts on a comet encounter a sentient AI named Persephone. As they journey together, they develop a deep bond that goes beyond the boundaries of human and machine.
21. Wall-E – In the 2008 animated film, Wall-E, the titular character is a robot left behind on Earth to clean up the garbage. When a more advanced robot named Eve arrives on the planet, Wall-E falls in love with her and embarks on a journey to follow her into space.
22. The Host – In the 2008 novel, The Host by Stephenie Meyer, an alien race has taken over Earth and lives inside human hosts. When one of the aliens, Wanderer, is inserted into the body of a human named Melanie, she falls in love with her host’s boyfriend, further complicating their already complex situation.
23. The Heart of Stone – In the 2016 novel, The Heart of Stone by Ben Galley, a golem named Task struggles to find his purpose in a world where he is seen as nothing more than a tool. When he meets a woman with a heart of stone, he begins to question whether he can truly love and be loved in return.
24. The Day the Earth Stood Still – In the 1951 film, The Day the Earth Stood Still, an alien named Klaatu arrives on Earth with a powerful robot named Gort. As he tries to warn humanity about the dangers of war, he develops a bond with a human woman and learns the true meaning of love and compassion.
25. Full Metal Alchemist – In the manga and anime series, Full Metal Alchemist, the character of Alphonse Elric is a suit of armor brought to life through alchemy. Despite not having a physical human body or a heart, he has a deep connection with his brother and others, showing that love can transcend physical form.
26. The Heart of the Hydra – In the 2017 novel, The Heart of the Hydra by Suzanne van Rooyen, a young woman named Seren is saved by a mechanical dragon and becomes his pilot. As they work together to defeat a corrupt government, their relationship evolves into something more than just a partnership.
27. A.I. Artificial Intelligence – In the 2001 film, A.I. Artificial Intelligence, a robot child named David is programmed to love his human family. When he is abandoned and left to fend for himself, he embarks on a journey to find a way to become a real boy and reunite with his mother.
28. The Iron Fey series – In the book series by Julie Kagawa, a teenage girl named Meghan discovers she is half-human and half-fey, a magical creature. As she navigates a dangerous and romantic world of faeries, she falls in love with a prince who has a mechanical heart, adding another layer of complexity to their relationship.
29. The Clone Wars – In the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars, the character of General Grievous is a cyborg with a heart that is powered by advanced technology. While his main purpose is to be a ruthless warrior, he develops a personal vendetta against Obi-Wan Kenobi, indicating that even a machine can hold a grudge.
30. The Heart of Iron – In the 2018 novel, The Heart of Iron by Ashley