Solaria - S1 (2 page)

"Is that a question requiring a response or a directive?"

Carley realized she and the Hubot could go around in circles forever if she didn't take control of the situation.

"A directive for now. Okay 1A526...  You know I really hate calling you by your number. If we expect you to integrate with us, you should at least have a name."

1A526 remained silent, unable to comprehend the logic behind the human's comment. She was assigned a specific number which was a better identification method than a name. It was specific to her. Humans often shared common names. That information had been programmed in her initial software to make it easier for her to identify the people working around her.

"I see you're not going to be any help with this. Well, since you theoretically represent the dawn of a whole new era of technology for humanity's benefit, I'm going to call you Solaria. It means sun." Even as she said it, Carley realized how overly-dramatic it sounded and winced inwardly. "What do you think about being called Solaria?" she asked somewhat sheepishly.

"I do not think of it at all."

"Okay, okay. For now you're Solaria. You can always change it later."

"If that is what you want. What do I call you?"

"Me? I'm Carley Branson. You can call me Carley."

"Hello, Carley."

Carley smiled and nodded. The greeting was Solaria's first step to becoming human.

"Hello, Solaria. Now let's get to work, shall we?"

Week One
 

A
T FIRST PROGRESS was slow and tedious for both human and Hubot. Although Carley knew it would take time for the prototype to become completely functional, Solaria had no such expectations. Her computer brain could not rationalize why her motor functions weren't responding efficiently to her instructions. The stiff robotic movements made it almost impossible for her to walk around the lab without bumping into desks or chairs, causing things to crash to the floor. Solaria would stare at the broken objects, assess the damage and try to determine the best method to repair them. Unable to come up with a satisfactory solution, she turned to Carley for answers.

"I do not understand what is wrong with me," she said one morning after accidentally knocking over two chairs. "Something is wrong with my neuro-system. I have run eighty-three different diagnostic tests and found no identifiable malfunctions to explain my awkward motion. I have concluded I must be defective."

"You're not defective, and I doubt if there's a real problem," Carley replied, looking up from the holographic monitor in front of her. "You're just adapting to your new body."

"Are you saying that this is the way I am supposed to function? If I am to emulate a human, I must be less rigid in my movements. I am a threat to them and to all objects around me."

"True, and no I'm not saying you're supposed to walk like that. What I meant was, until your processors finish mapping your bio-mechanical system, there's no way you're going to move fluidly. I suggest you start small. Work your fingers and hands first until you fully understand how your mind and body works. It's all about repetition. After that, the rest should come a lot easier."

"That is logical. I should have concluded that without your help. I am defective."

"You expect too much of yourself right now. I think you might have been experiencing what we refer to as frustration. It's hard to think logically when that happens."

"Frustration is a human emotion. I am not human therefore I am incapable of frustration."

"You're programmed to learn, Solaria. There's no reason why you won't develop emotions along the way. Let's not rush things or jump to any conclusions yet, okay?"

"Okay."

*  *  *

Month Two

For almost three weeks Solaria practiced flexing her fingers, hands and wrists until she was familiar with every circuit and nerve between them and her processors. Once she understood how her processors received and transmitted impulses to and from her fingers, she progressed to her upper body and finally her legs. Within two months, she was walking efficiently around the lab. The lab techs were thrilled. During her learning stages, she had managed to annihilate several expensive pieces of equipment. Most of the people took it good naturedly although, occasionally, Solaria heard a few grumblings. Because it was the human thing to do, she immediately apologized, which seemed to make them feel better. Logically, it didn't make much sense. An apology didn't solve anything. The item was still broken.

Soon her movements became second nature, giving her more opportunities to focus on learning about the world around her. Solaria felt a sense of pride at her accomplishments, but didn't really recognize the emotion for what it was. Carley did and was thrilled. It was another step closer to becoming human.

As a scientist it was Carley's nature to search for answers. She loved her job, especially now that human robotics was finally a reality instead of a possibility. There were still plenty of obstacles to overcome but it was only a matter of time before Solaria, the first beta Hubot, would be fully functional.

Carley's job had been to program 1A526 with the primary software that would start the Hubot down the long road to becoming human; at least that's how Carley looked at it. Estimates by the most brilliant AI experts indicated it would take approximately six months of rigorous training for the prototype to reach a level equivalent to an IQ of 90. After that, the Hubot's learning curve would grow exponentially giving her the ability to grasp and process concepts at a faster rate.

Carley had spent all of her adult life waiting for that moment. At fifty-three, a few months didn't seem so far away.

*  *  *

Month Six

Pressing her palm against the security scanner, the scientist waited for SIARD (Security Identification and Recognition Device) to confirm her identity. When the laboratory door finally slid open, Carley deposited her laptop and briefcase on her desk and walked over to the security vault. Punching in her code, she activated the automatic door and stepped inside. The room was dark but motion lights sensed her presence and switched on, illuminating the interior. In the middle of the small room was a metal chair made of titanium. Strapped in it was what appeared to be a woman, her head tilted slightly forward, her chin resting on her chest as if sleeping.

"Activation Code 092669," Carley said quietly.

The head straightened up and turned toward the scientist.

"Good morning, Carley."

The Hubot's voice was slightly husky, almost sultry. Carley wasn't quite sure how the Hubot had acquired such a seductive tone. When she asked the voice designers about the vocal actuator, they couldn't give her a satisfactory answer. Their response was that it was a random mixture of audio fibrotic vibrations resonating through the vocal circuitry near the back of the throat. Carley rolled her eyes at the inept explanation. Basically, it was the equivalent of human vocal chords. Obviously they didn't have a clue.

"Good morning, Solaria. How are you doing?"

"I'm fine. How are you?"

"I'm fine, thank you. I've been meaning to compliment you on your improved language skills."

"I have been working on sounding less formal. Humans use many contractions, especially the Romanic languages."

"True. Keep it up. We don't want you sounding like a language professor," Carley teased. "Are you ready to begin a new day?"

It was a question she had asked Solaria every day for the past six months, even though she already knew the answer.

"Yes, I have processed and categorized all of the information from yesterday's Internet sessions. Last night I suspended several superfluous bio-mechanical systems to conserve energy to see what effect it would have on my body."

"Was there a reason for that? It could be risky if you're not careful."

"I was curious about sleep so I deactivated several of my main systems. It was the closest way to simulate the complete bodily shutdown that humans seem to require. If I am to appear human I must understand this particular phenomenon."

"I wouldn't exactly agree with that. Just be careful."

"Please don't worry, Carley. I analyzed all the possibilities to determine which functions didn't need to be operational or in continuous mode."

"As long as you don't jeopardize your health."

"I am in excellent health. It wouldn't be logical for me to do something to compromise my ability to operate at optimum levels."

"That's good, but do what I say. This is new for all of us so we aren't sure how your bio-mechanic and electronic systems will function under reduced power."

"I ran simulation tests prior to the actual shutdown. I've suffered no discernible negative effects."

Carley sighed. This conversation was going nowhere.

"Solaria, I'm just asking you to take the necessary cautions. Nothing more." Realizing that she sounded more like a mom than a scientist, Carley decided she had made her point so it was time to move on. "Now, today I have a treat for you. You can move about the lab freely after everyone's gone home," Carley said, releasing the ankle and wrist locks that secured the Hubot to the chair.

Standing Solaria flexed her arms and legs. It was such a human response that Carley smiled. The Hubot was becoming more humanlike every day. She was unconsciously displaying complicated mannerisms and emotions sooner than Carley imagined possible.

Recalling an event two days before, she again smiled slightly. Things had started out normally. Carley was organizing some data and decided to grab a cup of coffee from the dispenser near Solaria. Walking past her, the scientist had noticed the Hubot frowning. In her hand was a porn magazine that one of Carley's male colleagues had left behind. Curious, she looked over Solaria's shoulder to see what could evoke the unusual response. To her surprise, she saw the centerfold picture of a nude woman. Carley never understood how her fellow workers could be so intelligent and yet indulge in such sleazy crap.

"Is something wrong?"

"Is this a real woman?" Solaria asked, running her fingertips gently over the photograph.

"Yes, why do you ask?"

"Do all human females display themselves in such a manner?"

It was the first time Solaria had shown an interest in the female body. Curious about Solaria's fascination at seeing a naked woman, Carley decided to pursue the subject a little more.

"No, most don't. She gets paid to pose for this particular magazine."

Solaria continued to frown.

"Does the sight of a naked woman bother you, Solaria?"

When the Hubot didn't answer, Carley grew more curious at her odd behavior. "Solaria? What are you thinking?"

"She's very beautiful," Solaria replied softly.

Surprised at the unexpected comment, the scientist glanced again at the photo. It was the first time Solaria had expressed a concept instead of a fact.

"Why do you think that?" Carley asked. "What makes her beautiful?"

"I don't know. I've been trying to analyze her symmetry and coloring to see if there was a logical reason for my conclusion, but I haven't come up with anything."

"That's because you're talking about perceptions," Carley said. "Beauty isn't about logic or thinking. Some scientists have a theory that symmetry has a lot to do with it, though."

"I'm confused. As a machine it isn't logical for me to arrive at conclusions based on things such as perceptions or feelings," Solaria replied, making eye contact with her teacher and mentor, "but my processors cannot compute an alternative hypothesis."

"You're not a machine, Solaria. Machines don't become confused. You're a Hubot. We've managed to generate human tissue over a carbon based alloy for your body. It's taken almost seventy years to perfect the technique. That was the easy part. Creating the laser quadro-core nano chip was the real break-through. Without it, we wouldn't be able to perform complex brain functions, let alone have chips small enough to fit inside a human skull."