In this particular instance, I believe the inanimate tag is accurate -- this robot cannot act with spontaneity, cannot react without following a programmed response, and is not able to move through life using free will. It is possible that future robotics may be animate, but this one is not.
Strangely enough, this is not surprising; just another way for these guys to get their hooks into unsuspecting users -- obviously, most of/. aren't going to be susceptible, but I would imagine the home version of tech support will become well used when Grandma's PC has this friggin' gator on it and she doesn't know what it is/how it got there/ wants it gone....
Animation refers to having characteristics of life; if something is alive, it is animate. Inaminate is without life -- a robot cannot be animate (perhaps with AI??).
Unfortunately, the article really doesn't cover the tech aspect of the robot - only the touchy-feely side of working with an inanimate object. Hopefully, it isn't running any M$ software - imagine this: a junkie hacks the hospital software and has the robort deliver morphine on a very regular schedule....
Anyway, a more in depth view of the tech side of the equipment/software being used would have been more useful for/.
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In this particular instance, I believe the inanimate tag is accurate -- this robot cannot act with spontaneity, cannot react without following a programmed response, and is not able to move through life using free will. It is possible that future robotics may be animate, but this one is not.
Strangely enough, this is not surprising; just another way for these guys to get their hooks into unsuspecting users -- obviously, most of /. aren't going to be susceptible, but I would imagine the home version of tech support will become well used when Grandma's PC has this friggin' gator on it and she doesn't know what it is/how it got there/ wants it gone....
Animation refers to having characteristics of life; if something is alive, it is animate. Inaminate is without life -- a robot cannot be animate (perhaps with AI??).
Unfortunately, the article really doesn't cover the tech aspect of the robot - only the touchy-feely side of working with an inanimate object. Hopefully, it isn't running any M$ software - imagine this: a junkie hacks the hospital software and has the robort deliver morphine on a very regular schedule.... Anyway, a more in depth view of the tech side of the equipment/software being used would have been more useful for /.