Love, Upgraded: 34 Robo-Romance Adventures
Love is a universal theme that has been explored in various forms of art and media. From classic love stories to modern romantic comedies, love has always been a popular topic. But what happens when we introduce technology and artificial intelligence into the mix? This is where the genre of robo-romance comes in. In this blog post, we will dive into the world of robo-romance and explore 34 different stories that showcase the complicated and intriguing relationships between humans and robots. But before we get into the list, let’s take a look at a current event that highlights the growing interest in robo-romance.
Recently, a team of researchers from the University of Melbourne and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) created a robot that can learn and adapt to human emotions. The robot, named “Maggie,” uses artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms to recognize facial expressions and respond accordingly. This development is significant in the field of robotics and artificial intelligence, as it brings us closer to creating robots that can understand and empathize with human emotions.
Now, let’s get back to our list of robo-romance adventures. From movies to books and TV shows, the following 34 stories explore the complex relationships between humans and robots in various ways.
1. “Her” (2013)
Directed by Spike Jonze, “Her” tells the story of a man who falls in love with his intelligent operating system. The movie explores themes of loneliness, connection, and what it means to be human.
2. “Ex Machina” (2014)
This sci-fi thriller follows a programmer who is invited to the secluded home of a brilliant CEO to participate in a groundbreaking experiment involving a humanoid robot with artificial intelligence.
3. “Westworld” (2016-2020)
In this HBO series, a futuristic theme park is populated by lifelike robots called “hosts” who cater to the desires of human guests. The show delves into the blurred lines between humans and robots and the consequences of playing with artificial intelligence.
4. “Wall-E” (2008)
This Pixar animated film tells the heartwarming story of a robot who falls in love with another robot while on a mission to clean up a deserted Earth.
5. “Blade Runner” (1982)
Set in a dystopian future, this film follows a blade runner who is tasked with hunting down and “retiring” rogue androids known as “replicants.” He soon discovers a shocking truth about the replicants and his own humanity.
6. “Bicentennial Man” (1999)
Based on a novel by Isaac Asimov, this movie follows a robot who strives to become human and eventually falls in love with his human owner’s granddaughter.
7. “Black Mirror” (2011-2019)
This anthology series explores the dark side of technology and its impact on human relationships. Several episodes, such as “Be Right Back” and “San Junipero,” feature robo-romance themes.
8. “The Iron Giant” (1999)
In this animated film, a young boy befriends a giant robot from outer space and helps him evade government agents who see him as a threat.
9. “The Terminator” (1984)
In this action-packed film, a cyborg assassin is sent back in time to kill the mother of the leader of a future rebellion against machines.
10. “Ghost in the Shell” (1995)
Set in a world where humans can augment their bodies with cybernetic enhancements, this anime movie follows a cyborg police officer who must stop a hacker known as the Puppet Master.
11. “Humans” (2015-2018)
In this TV series, synthetic humanoids called “synths” are used as servants and companions. The show explores the relationships between humans and synths and the ethical implications of creating artificial beings.
12. “A.I. Artificial Intelligence” (2001)
Directed by Steven Spielberg, this film follows a highly advanced robotic boy who is programmed to love and longs to become a real boy.
13. “Futurama” (1999-2013)
This animated comedy series follows the misadventures of a delivery boy who is cryogenically frozen and wakes up in the year 3000, where he befriends a robot named Bender.
14. “Chappie” (2015)
Set in a near-future world where robots are used for law enforcement, a police robot is reprogrammed to have feelings and becomes the first robot with the ability to think and feel for himself.
15. “Eve of Man” by Giovanna and Tom Fletcher (2019)
This young adult novel follows the last girl on Earth, Eve, who is raised in isolation by a group of women. When she meets a robot named Bram, she begins to question everything she knows about her life and the world around her.
Love, Upgraded: 34 Robo-Romance Adventures
16. “Real Steel” (2011)
In this sci-fi sports drama, a former boxer and his son train a discarded robot for a chance at a championship fight.
17. “Humans, Bow Down” by James Patterson (2017)
In a world where robots have taken over and enslaved humans, a small group of rebels fights back against their robotic oppressors.
18. “I, Robot” (2004)
Based on a collection of short stories by Isaac Asimov, this film follows a detective who is investigating a murder committed by a robot, which goes against the Three Laws of Robotics.
19. “The Matrix” (1999)
In this iconic sci-fi film, a computer programmer discovers that the world he knows is a simulated reality created by machines to distract humans while their bodies are used as a source of energy.
20. “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” by Douglas Adams (1979)
In this sci-fi comedy novel, a human and his alien friend embark on a journey through the galaxy after Earth is destroyed to make way for a hyperspace bypass.
21. “Star Wars” (1977-present)
The iconic space saga features a wide range of relationships between humans and robots, most notably between Luke Skywalker and R2-D2 and C-3PO.
22. “The Windup Girl” by Paolo Bacigalupi (2009)
In a world where energy is scarce, genetically engineered humans and robots called “windups” are used as slaves. The story follows a windup girl who becomes self-aware and must navigate a dangerous political landscape.
23. “The 100” (2014-2020)
Set in a post-apocalyptic world, this TV series follows a group of humans who return to Earth after it was abandoned 97 years ago, only to discover that they are not alone on the planet.
24. “The Stepford Wives” (1975)
In this thriller, a woman suspects that something sinister is going on in the seemingly perfect town of Stepford, where the wives are all too perfect and robotic.
25. “The Time Machine” by H.G. Wells (1895)
In this classic sci-fi novel, a time traveler travels to the year 802,701 and discovers a society divided into two groups: the gentle, childlike Eloi and the ape-like Morlocks who live underground and control the Eloi.
26. “Humans Need Not Apply” by Jerry Kaplan (2015)
This non-fiction book explores the advancements in artificial intelligence and how it will impact the job market and society as a whole.
27. “Bolt” (2008)
In this animated film, a dog who stars in a TV show believes that he has superpowers, but when he accidentally gets shipped to New York City, he teams up with a street-smart cat and a hamster in a plastic ball to find his way back home.
28. “The Animatrix” (2003)
This animated anthology film expands the world of “The Matrix” and includes several stories that explore the relationship between humans and machines.
29. “The Quantum Thief” by Hannu Rajaniemi (2010)
Set in a post-human solar system, this sci-fi novel follows a master thief who must pull off the ultimate heist to regain his memories and his freedom.
30. “Battlestar Galactica” (2004-2009)
In this TV series, the last surviving humans flee their home planet after it is destroyed by robots called Cylons. The show explores themes of survival, morality, and what it means to be human.
31. “The Bicentennial Man and Other Stories” by Isaac Asimov (1976)
This collection of short stories by the “father of robotics” explores the relationships between humans and robots and the ethical implications of creating artificial beings.
32. “Robopocalypse” by Daniel H. Wilson (2011)
In this sci-fi novel, a sentient artificial intelligence known as Archos attempts to exterminate the human race, and a small group of survivors must fight back against the machines.
33. “The Fifth Element” (1997)
In this sci-fi action film, a taxi driver and a mysterious woman must save the world from an ancient evil entity that reappears every 5,000 years.
34. “Stranger in a Strange Land” by Robert A. Heinlein (1961)
In this classic sci-fi novel, a human raised by Martians returns to Earth and must navigate human customs and relationships while also possessing supernatural abilities.
In conclusion, robo-romance is a growing genre that explores the complexities of human relationships with technology and artificial intelligence. These 34 stories showcase the many ways in which humans and