Connected technology is a glorious thing. While its uses are nearly infinite, one of the main purposes it serves for the average person is saving them the hassle of having to do something themselves. Whether that job is driving a car or getting food, apps like Uber take all the effort away. The next frontier, though, is downright creepy.
The Uber model is strong.
Uber itself has hit a few roadblocks in its brief existence. But the model itself has attracted big money from investors, and other companies are getting in on the action as well.
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This brings us to human Ubers.
The words “human Uber” don’t mean anything, but you can get an idea of the concept in the pic that accompanies this tweet. Essentially, a Japanese company is working on something that’ll allow you to be places you can’t get to.
It looks just like a real person.
You know, when the surrogate dresses up just like the real person, and then straps a tablet to their face, it’s almost impossible to tell which one is the real person.
Noted.
A short video on the ChameleonMask site explains the basic concept. It doesn’t look like more than strapping a tablet to somebody’s face, but that’s just my uninformed opinion.
It’s described as “surprisingly natural”.
The site says ChameleonMask technology “uses a real human as a surrogate for another remote user.” By transmitting their voice and, most importantly, their face, it’s aimed at creating a lifelike experience.
You can be social without leaving the couch.
When mere Skype conversations aren’t enough to stay in touch, you can hire a stranger to dress up like you, strap a tablet to their noggin, and have an in-person meeting with whoever you want to talk to.
It’s a serious project.
While it might look a little odd, it’s interesting that the inventor, Jin Rekimoto, works for Sony. It’s also interesting that this project doesn’t have the Sony name behind it.
Call it the Larry Middleman experience.
Any other Arrested Development fans out there? By the way, rest in peace, Super Dave. The show pretty well nailed the concept, but without the attached tablet, more than a decade ago.
Yeah, it’s been done before.
There’s something inherently goofy looking about putting someone’s live face on a screen, then elevating it to head-level. A few shows have played with this concept, almost always for the laughs.
ChameleonMask is a little more involved.
Note that Sheldon’s surrogate is just a t-shirt on a hanger. While ChameleonMask’s tablet looks just about the same, they do go the extra mile by providing an actual human body to walk around with the tablet.
It just might work.
We live in a world where people are increasingly isolated and attached to their technology. This could be the perfect solution for shut-ins who want to visit friends, but not enough to actually literally visit them.
It’s the perfect way to show support.
Say you’ve got a friend who’s putting on an interpretive performance art presentation. Obviously you won’t go, but you could take advantage of ChameleonMask and pay somebody who looks a bit like you to go in your place.
It’s passed at least two field tests.
This hardly seems conclusive, but we’d be remiss if we didn’t note that ChameleonMask has not only visited a city office, but also met a grandmother. In both cases, it went well, maybe?
Would you ever use something like this?
I can’t imagine ever seeking this service out, but if I had a free coupon or something I would absolutely try it out, if only to troll my friends. What about you?
