Disney's Smart House is an example of a contemporary robot brought about through film in 1999. In this story, a middle class american family wins a contest that allows them to move into a brand new home, equipped with built-in technology that essentially performs all necessary tasks. These tasks involve duties such as cooking, cleaning, and providing protection. The technology is embodied in a hologram named "Pat". Pat contains the characteristics of a common housewife, and has the personality of an overprotective mother. At first, the family adores Pat and all that she does for them. They become accustomed to the conveniences of not having to make meals or clean up after themselves. They also trust her with guarding the home and making sure the family is safe. Overtime, however, Pat becomes more independent in her actions and eventually traps the family inside the house; believing that the outside world is too dangerous for them to venture into. The family then has to figure out a way to override Pat and break out of her lockdown.
The film Smart House and the robot of Pat appeared in a time where home security systems were just starting to emerge. In the 1970's, motion detectors were beginning to be used in security, and in the 1980's and 90's it became standard protocol to have alarm systems in public buildings and homes. Corresponding with the emergence of these security systems is the great decrease in crime rate during the late 1990's. Although there was a feeling of peace with this drop in crime, Pat reveals a new kind of anxiety emerging in society. By reducing outside threats with home security systems, we then turn over to a new kind of threat. This threat is now inside the home, and affects many aspects of our day to day lives. Adding to the uncanniness of Pat, is the fact that she is embodied in a holographic form of a housewife. This makes her closely resemble a human, which is commonly found to make us cringe over her familiarity. The creation of Smart House and the emergence of the robot Pat exemplifies the new found anxieties over the internal security system and other advanced technologies within the home in the 1990's.
I wouldn't have even thought of that correlation, and it is completely true. Along with all of the fears that the home security systems alleviate, it also provides new dangers. In the movie, if I remember correctly, all of PAT’s features turn against the family. The features meant to create a comfortable environment, are used to cause commotion; the cameras meant to protect their privacy, now invades it; the security features to keep intruders out, were now used to keep them inside. As PAT moves from protective to over-protective, we see the potential dangers of inviting the technology of these security systems into our homes. While PAT’s personification is not possible, we are presented with the very real narrative that there is a face behind this technology.
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