PERFECT ROBOT

Great question! I think the movie would suck without some type of human perspective, emotions and drama. Also David 8 is as only as good and reliable as his makers (humans). That means he has flaws like the rest of us have and then some unexpected flaws and glitches. So humans are required to keep things in running order. Perfect example is Alien. Conflicting orders, emotions and decisions could cause chaos and ultimately the demise of the mission. Just a thought.

That's an interesting point. I remember some years ago, there was a story in an Aliens comic that had a group of Marines who were androids going in on a mission to kill the Xenos. I forgot how it ended, but it was interesting nevertheless. To your point, my guess is it might be too expensive to create and send a bunch of androids on the trip. Also, maybe the company would want to see a "human reaction" to some harmful substance, and they felt that the androids would be too emotionless..

because as you see in the video hes quite uncapable of indipendent decisions ... hes a great servant , a great aid ...but nothing more .. (maybe.... )

Good points guys. I certainly like the cost implication for the company. They certainly care more about the dollar than human lives.

Also this makes me wonder as to why they had to change this model to the ASH design or of course one preceding ASH. Does something happen in this film that maybe ties it in with Alien in that sense...

This is an interesting question; of the type Humanity may well have to deal with the, much wider, consequences of, in Reality. In due time. @Frantz I've noticed that I usually silently agree with a great deal of what you say but, here, I must disagree. David does seem to be programmed for independent thought: to draw his own conclusions and determine his own actions, based on those conclusions. The limits of all that may be predetermined, but [i]how[/i] he operates within and up to those limits, seems to be a matter for him. He is able to learn and he is able to apply logic to improve the outcome of a given scenario. In that respect what seems to be at issue, is his limits - and those limits seem to be completely artificial: set and determined by his programming. He may be designated a, "Servant", but how he chooses to best meet his individual objectives as a Servant is a matter for him and his processing to determine - and he is a, "Servant", apparently, only because that is what he has been limited to and told that is what he must be, by Humanity - not because there is any physical or intellectual reason why that is all he can be. @CarterJ It doesn't seem absolutely certain how David is going to be contextualised - he may be positioned as, "under evaluation", in this scenario, or what have you. He may be positioned as limited under the terms that he cannot apply his intelligence [i]Creatively[/i] in response to World around him and then apply that Creative Thought - which is the single most unique and definitive characteristic of a Human Being, the significant area where a Human Being will always surpass the ability of any machine, no matter how significant it's Intelligence, and why Human Beings will always be included as a preference and if possible, on every and any Mission, anywhere, for whatever purpose, always, until the end of Time. That fact alone would explain the humans, here. [However: I think David [i]is[/i] being positioned as capable of independent, [i]Creative[/i], thought? If I then take the terms of your question, exactly, and assume that it will already be clearly understood within the Story that David 8 is actually [u]better[/u] than Humans - the reason to limit his opportunity should be very apparent: but, that, is the, much wider, discussion...].

@ allinamberclad - Great answer. Thanks for posting.

@allinamberclad - yes i see your point , you are right however he cant have the mental flexibility of a human and that can be crucial in a so vital ( and expensive ) mission .., since "shit happen" a human mind ( should ) have a far bigger flexibility regarding unforseen things .

@Frantz Yes, my friend: he may not have that kind of vital, mental flexibility - but what if he [i]does?....[/i] Where would that put him - and [i]us? [/i]

If they sent a bunch of androids, we wouldn't have much of a movie :)

Genius is next to insanity.

It would seem that David 8 is there as both a Parent and computer in human form. Remember, these androids are early in development unlike later models Ash and Bishop. What I find most unusual about David 8 is his very Canned answers in this production video even when he is supposedly being emotional, and his statement that he can perform functions that humans might find unethical or distressing. Very much like the behavior of an Autistic person that is emotionally detached. Not sure if I am reading too much into this, but it looks like he is he wearing a Mao Suit From the early Communist era of China. Interesting. ...Also, something about his physical movements reminds me of the Original Xenomorph from the 1st ALIEN film.

Because that's what smart people would do and smart people don't wind up in horror movies.