Mechanical Love

Hiroshi Ishiguro is a scientist and engineer specializing in robotics who is working to expand the boundaries of how robots can be used in daily life. Ishiguro and his team have created a mechanical pet called the Paro which resembles a baby seal that they've placed with people dealing with autism or Alzheimer's disease. The artificial critter provides companionship for people who might otherwise be unable to handle the challenges of dealing with a pet, and filmmaker Phie Ambo profiles several people who have come to love and treasure their robotic friends in the documentary Mechanical Love. After his success with the Paro, Ishiguro has begun work on a more advanced creation called the Geminoid, which resembles a human being, but while people are willing to project emotions onto the robotic seal, his work with the Geminoid and the reactions of those who attempt to interact with it (including his young daughter) suggest his new project still has a very long way to go. Mechanical Love was screened in competition at the 2007 Amsterdam International Documentary Film Festival.~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide