MANSKLIG ULTRA: THE INTERVIEW
MANSKLIG ULTRA's icon. ; Taken from: MANSKLIG ULTRA account (@MANSKLIGULTRA)
INTERVIEW WITH THE MECHANIC
Ultra humans. It is the direct translation of the company's name, Mansklig Ultra, when a Dead Press Society journalist, Sinteya Marie, has gotten the chance to interview The Mechanic. Due to their Swedish roots, they took inspiration from their language, "mänsklig", being the literal Swedish translation of "human".
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When asked why, The Mechanic has said that, "...because in essence, that's what we do—we make human-like figures but we make them "ultra," meaning they are on a whole 'nother level. Not to say that humans are inferior to cyborgs, but "ultra" in a sense that they are amplified versions of ourselves."
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Mansklig also envisions itself to be the forerunner in the trade of cyborg development and artificial intelligence.
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"Beyond being competitive, we see Mänsklig as a company that aims to provide its customers with the specific service that they are looking for. And not only that, but we aim to do it with preeminence."
Nevertheless, in every successful narrative, there will always be an interesting backstory that people will love to hear and take inspiration into and this is how The Mechanic had pushed towards into how they are right now.
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"Ah, that's a funny story. You see, I was very lonely as a kid. I was around six—or seven, perhaps?—when my father gave me a Lego set so I wouldn't get bored, and they worked. For a while. I would build all sorts of things—ships, cars, forts—but what I liked building the most were human figures with accentuated limbs of sorts.
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Over the years, I collected and built more and more of these Lego humanoids until they grew bigger—about as big as an actual human! Like I said, as a lonely kid who had no siblings and only the househelpers to entertain me, I eventually grew bored of these Lego humans. So I decided to learn and study artificial intelligence to put some—for lack of a better word— "life" into them. Long story short, I managed to build Mänsklig robots, but just not with Lego blocks anymore. "
Indeed, from Lego humans to full-on human androids with "life" in it, The Mechanic has successfully put forward their childhood hobby into a revolutionary company.
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However, with being revolutionary comes those controversial questions that flames the credibility and efficiency of the androids, in fear of some that claim that robots are the future of our world, curing mortality and another, being a replacement for humans.
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"First of all, Mänsklig DOES believe that artificial intelligence is one of the technological advancements that will shape our future. It's undeniable: AI has the potential to alter, move, CHANGE how humans interact—digitally, physically, and even socio-economically.
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However, I do not believe that there is a "cure" for mortality. As has been said in many adages, nothing in this world is permanent. Everything is bound to fall victim to oblivion, even these androids.
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Which brings me to my second point. Androids are and never will be replacements to humans. Perhaps the better word would be "companions" or perhaps even "support". But never replacements."
INTERVIEW WITH THE DEVELOPERS
INTERVIEW WITH THE ANDROIDS
While The Mechanic is being interviewed, Leviticus Parker and Eris have used this chance to question the developers as well regarding the androids themselves.
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With Mansklig Ultra offering four (4) types of human androids: AOIN3003 (The Househelper Robot), INGL2610 (The Companion Robot), XRQP7461 (The Sex Robot), and EKOB5020 (The Hitman Robot) – there would really be some questions into how they work and how they were programmed with the developers that made them more extraordinary and exceptional.
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"Unlike common cleaning appliances, the AOIN3003 assesses and calculates what needs to be cleaned and taken care of in the client's abode. But what really sets it apart from mainstream household appliances is that the AOIN3003 is not just a cleaner; it may double as a caregiver as well.
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The INGL2610, otherwise known as the Companion Robots — were designed to be the best escorts for whatever event our customers have to attend to. Our XRQP7461s or the Sex Robots — as the name implies, they were carefully built and designed to be your companions, too. However, unlike INGL2610s, they were made for a much more specific purpose than just being your chaperones.
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And of course, lastly, our EKOB5020s, our Hitman Robots — these robots were the hardest to build due to their sensitive purpose. Because they were designed to do one task, we really needed to ensure that they do this task with precision" — Developer BLÅSVÄDER-07.
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In the question of how could they satisfy and pleasure their clients, especially with the companion and sex robots, given that the androids are not programmed to have emotions,
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"Specifically for the Sex & Companion bots, they were programmed to mirror the emotions being given off by their respective clients. We developers used
the mechanism of pheromone detection in order for the bots to calculate and effectively emulate the current "feeling" that their client is giving off. However, we programmed it in such a way that they (the droids) lessen the negative feedback.
If the client gives off an excited attitude based on their pheromones, the robot will return the same level of excitement. However, if the android detects nervousness or anxiety, it will immediately revert to protective mode to soothe its client." — Developer VERKTYG-00.
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And since the company has stated that their androids are not sentient beings – in which sentient means able to perceive and feel emotions – the developers have been questioned as well on what they would do once the androids have overridden – hypothetically – their codes and be self-aware.
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"Again, this is all "artificial" intelligence. They really do not have the power, per se, to possess their own thoughts and feelings. They will only run the code that is specifically programmed for them. I have faith in our team of developers and that they debug the algorithms well, should they find any.
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However, let's say that this does happen eventually. Mänsklig has access to each and every single one of our models' LifeDrives (in which they define this as the one that indicates the android's general condition, battery, Thirium levels, and overall well-being). We can easily shut down their systems and erase all programs." — Developer VERKTYG-00.
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In the question of what are their initial thoughts and what do they feel now that their invention has been launched out and publicized into the society, the developers expressed how proud and ecstatic they are, even though they didn't think that they will succeed like that.
Now, as fascinating as The Mechanic and The Developers have answered questions regarding Mansklig and their androids, it's interesting as well to know what the androids themselves really think about what their work and about what they do.
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Some of DPS interviewers, Juvia Auclaire, Leviticus Parker, and Eris had the privilege to interview some of the androids and ask what their difference as an android from humans.
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"Being an android has a lot of advantages, especially for a hitman cyborg like me. We are programmed to accomplish our objectives no matter what. All of our moves are calculated so no time could be wasted while performing our duty." — Bourbon Morgana Lamperouge, (@steinsblood)
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"We can read heat signatures, vital signs, search and read informations outside/during missions, we don't ran out of stamina. Basically what a robot can do but still, we are flesh. Half human, half robot is what makes us cyborg. We can give our clients easy and faster access than regular humans can, not that I am degrading humans, after all I still am part human." — Roshan Kier "Luke" Lucio, (@Y0UN6V0LCAN0ES)
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Together with the interview, one of the writers, Leviticus Parker, had the chance to "test" a companion android for the last moments of the launching party. And just like what they were programmed to do, Levi can testify how they make their clients comfortable and can certainly adapt to how their clients are.
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In the question of where do they think they stand in this society together with the controversial talks about the emergence of their kinds, this was their answer.
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"Robots aren't made to be a human's replacement. Robots are made to help the humans, and I hope that they'll treat us well because even though we are called as "artificial intelligence", we are not perfect also, we have our own limits." — Dame, Companion Robot. (@damoan_)