Uncanny Valley

C1 16+
  • Frequency of Use
    60 %
  • Retention Rate
    70 %
  • Complexity
    80 %
  • Uncanny Valley Meanings

    noun A term used in the field of robotics and human-computer interaction to describe the phenomenon where a humanoid object closely resembles a human but still appears unsettling or eerie to observers.

    Fields related to uncanny valley

    Film and Television

    In film and television, the uncanny valley can be a consideration when creating CGI characters or special effects that aim for realism but risk falling into the uncanny valley, potentially alienating audiences.

    Psychology

    In psychology, the uncanny valley is studied in relation to how humans perceive and react to humanoid robots or computer-generated characters that are almost but not quite human-like, and the emotional responses this can evoke.

    Gaming

    In gaming, the uncanny valley can be a concern when designing characters or environments that aim for realism but risk unsettling players due to subtle discrepancies or imperfections.

    Robotics

    In robotics, the uncanny valley refers to the discomfort or unease felt by humans when interacting with robots that closely resemble humans but still have noticeable differences in appearance or behavior.

    Artificial Intelligence

    In artificial intelligence, the uncanny valley is a concept that can arise when AI systems or chatbots attempt to mimic human conversation or behavior but fall short in a way that makes users uncomfortable or wary.

    Animation

    In animation, the uncanny valley is a concept used to describe the point at which a character's design or movements become so realistic that they evoke a negative response from viewers due to subtle imperfections.

    Virtual Reality

    In virtual reality, the uncanny valley can occur when virtual environments or avatars are almost indistinguishable from reality but still fall short in certain aspects, leading to a sense of unease or discomfort.

    Medical Simulation

    In medical simulation, the uncanny valley can be a factor when creating lifelike mannequins or virtual patients for training purposes, as the level of realism may impact the effectiveness of the simulation.

    Occupation Usage of uncanny valley

    Writer

    In the field of writing, the concept of 'uncanny valley' may be used to describe characters or plots that are almost realistic but fall short, creating a sense of unease or discomfort for the audience.

    Psychologist

    Psychologists may use the term 'uncanny valley' to refer to the phenomenon where a humanoid robot or computer-generated character's appearance closely resembles a human, but still has enough differences to evoke feelings of eeriness or revulsion.

    Designer

    Designers may consider the 'uncanny valley' when creating products or interfaces that feature human-like elements, aiming to strike a balance between realism and stylization to avoid triggering negative emotional responses in users.

    Animator

    In animation, the 'uncanny valley' is a crucial concept to consider when designing characters, as overly realistic or humanoid figures may elicit negative reactions from viewers, impacting the overall success of the project.

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