Android

HRP-4C, A Gynoid

An android is a robot designed to resemble a human being. Androids are common features of science fiction stories. An android specifically designed to replicate a human female is sometimes called a gynoid.

Reasons for building an android

• Humans or humanoid aliens may be more comfortable interacting with a humanoid robot than an extremely "mechanical" robot.
• The android can use equipment designed for humanoids, giving it versatility.
• The android's purpose requires it to be disguised as a human or humanoid.

Examples of Androids

Androids often appear in visual science fiction, often because it is cheaper to designate an actor as an android or give him/her some prosthetic makeup than to build a non anthropomorphic robot.

• Data, from Star Trek.
• C-3PO, from Star Wars.
• The Terminator, from the movie of the same name.
• Harlan and the android clones of SG-1 from Stargate.