Q: How much difference is there between a human and a carbon copy?

A: Potentially less and less, with the appearance of Shan-san (or Geminoid F, the “F” being for “Female”), a high-tech Japanese humanoid that appears to breathe, blink, and talk about what it means to be in love.

A recent study published by Oxford University claimed 47% of all jobs could be done better by robots, and Ray Kurzweil, director of engineering at Google, predicts machines will be smarter than humans by 2029. “Humanoids are fascinating and a symbol for where humans and robots meet,” explain Per Eriksson and Alexander Rynéus, the Swedish-born directors of the creepy, brilliant documentary, Autonomous, that explores ‘emotional intelligence’ as much as ‘artificial intelligence.’

“We can replace all humans with machines,” says Shan-san’s creator, Professor Hiroshi Ishiguro, the director of Intelligent Robotics Laboratory, who also developed his very own robotic doppelganger using silicone rubber, advance electronics and hair from his own scalp. “I think with robotic and android technology we’ll bridge the physical world and the virtual world. So in the future we will replace everything. But humans will survive in this world—as humans.” 

Maksymilian Fus Mickiewicz is Editor of T-R-E-M-O-R-S magazine.

Autonomous is produced by Fosfor Produktion and screens at CPH:DOX, Copenhagen on the November 15