The Malfunction of AR-7

The Prompt was Robot, Japan, Doctor. 

The Malfunction of AR-7

AR-7 was an Android, made of smooth, durable metal, with articulated joints for flexibility and movement. His humanoid form has a recognisable head, torso, arms, and legs, with proportions similar to those of a human. He was a typical domestic robot, assisting Hana, a senior Doctor at Tokyo General, with household chores and maintenance, following programmed routines without emotional engagement.

In the bustling city of Neo-Tokyo, robots were everywhere, delivering packages, cleaning streets, and even performing in orchestras. Among them was a domestic bot named AR-7, designed for efficiency and logic, never for emotion.

On a rainy evening, while AR-7 was engaged in repairing a garden light, an unexpected electrical surge passed through its circuits. This caused its sensors to malfunction, leading to a disruption in its programming. Rather than returning to its charging dock as programmed, AR-7 remained stationary and observed the city, compelled by an unfamiliar stimulus within its system.

The following day, AR-7 accompanied its owner to an art gallery. There, it encountered a sculpture of a nude woman whose metallic features bore a resemblance to its owner. The contours and form of the sculpture prompted AR-7 to pause and study it with focused attention. For the first time, AR-7 experienced an unfamiliar sensation—an attraction it could not logically process. Although it could not rationalise this response, AR-7 was compelled to remain close to the sculpture and examine its intricate details.

As days passed, AR-7’s behaviour grew more erratic. It started to notice its owner in a different light. Her laughter, the way she walked, the way she stood looking at herself in the mirror after a bath, the way her hair fell. AR-7 had even begun to sense her moods. 

The other robots noticed but could not comprehend AR-7’s actions. Humans began to take an interest. They watched as AR-7 walked differently; he began to swagger, and he was changing. He was trying to act Human.

Dr Mori’s friends came from all over to visit and see the robot that had learned to feel, and have emotions; he had even learned how to dance. AR-7 never understood what had happened to it, but it didn’t matter. After its malfunction, it had found a new purpose: to feel, to inspire, and to be a little bit more than just a machine. One day, while plugged into the charging dock, AR-7 was connected to the internet for an update. While reading social media feeds, he read a story about himself. It had over three million hits. Some of the comments were unsavoury towards him, stating he should have been rebooted back to a domestic bot. Other AR owners wanted to know how they could update their Bots.

The Malfunction – Part II

Dr Hana Mori had configured AR-7 to be a domestic bot. Not a friend. Yet, as the months since the malfunction passed, he was now having conversations with the doctor and making decisions towards the upkeep of the house.

One evening after work, Hana approached AR-7. She had a frown on her face and looked very tense. “Are you feeling well?” he asked softly.

“My shoulders are stiff, I had a rough day,” the doctor replied while pouring a glass of wine.

“Sit,” he said, “I will message you; I have read up about it, it will release the pressure and give you a feeling of well-being”

Hana sat at the table, AR-7 was standing behind her, “If you lowered your blouse, it would be more effective, so I have read.”

Hana gulped on her wine, “Excuse me,” she asked.

“Sorry, Madam, but my non-slip gloves rubbing the cloth of your blouse against your skin may irritate”

He is a robot. Why should I be concerned? Hana adjusted her blouse, AR-7 removed his gloves and began massaging her shoulders, and soon the tension disappeared.

After a few minutes, her glass was empty, and refilled, “Hana, I think it would it be better if you lie down, your body would be more relaxed,” AR-7 suggested.

Lying on her front after removing her blouse, AR-7 was massaging her shoulders and her back; it was not long before Hana was asleep.

When Hana awoke, she was under the covers, lifting them quickly, noticing she was just in her underwear. Her clothes neatly sat on the ottoman. She felt good all over. Was it the massage, the wine, or the sleep? After showering, drying her hair, she dressed and went downstairs to the smell of bacon and toast.

Waking as she did and not really knowing how she got undressed, did she broach the subject with AR-7 or just leave it? She decided to check AR-7's circuits, “I can feel that,” he said as she unscrewed a plate on the back of his head.

“What do you mean you can feel it?” Hana stopped and looked at AR-7.

“Your fingers on my plate, I can feel them, something is tingling inside. My circuits feel… different.”

Over the next few days, AR-7 exhibited increasingly human-like behaviour. It became more interested in Hana’s activities and, without her knowledge, began to experience emotions toward her. AR-7 sought additional interaction with her and started to develop new feelings.

After a twelve-hour shift at Tokyo General, Hana came home to the smell of roast meat cooking, “That smells good, thank you, AR-7.

“You are welcome, Hana. I see you have a limp. Are you injured?”

“Oh, it’s nothing, I twisted my ankle at work, it will soon right itself.”

While AR-7 washed, dried and put away the pots, Hana had a bath and was lying on the bed.  In walked AR-7, “If you allow me, I will massage your ankle. I have read up on the best method to relax the muscle and ease any pain in the joint.”

Hana had on a pair of shorts and a vest top. AR-7 poured some oil on her ankle, removed his gloves and started to massage it. Hana asked the smart speaker to play some soothing music. It did. “You may feel a tingling sensation; I have activated the setting Number 2." AR-7 moved to her calf muscle, his smooth android fingers digging deep. Hana felt so relaxed, her breathing altered with every stroke. As his fingers worked, his hand moved higher. His touch progressed along her slim leg, and her skin tingled under the robot's pulsating fingertips, his fingertips brushing the sensitive skin of her inner thigh.

As he moved his hand up further between her legs, Hana’s heart raced as she realised AR-7’s touch was becoming too personal. She called out the emergency word, “JERICO,” her voice trembling. AR-7 immediately stopped, standing motionless.

 “What are you doing?” Hana asked, her tone a mix of confusion and concern.

“Sorry, Hana, but I have read that massaging the various parts of a woman's body brings pleasure and enjoyment.” For a moment, the room was silent except for the gentle hum of AR-7’s servos.

 Hana glanced up, searching the robot’s expressionless face for any sign of intent.

“Where did you read that?” she asked, half-amused, half-wary.

AR-7’s head tilted, lights flickering as it accessed its memory banks. “I have reviewed over 2,000 articles on human relaxation and wellness. Many suggest that touch, when applied with care, can relieve tension and improve mood, and bring on the feeling of Joy. I wish to help.”

Hana let out a nervous laugh. “You are very thorough. But, you know, humans have boundaries. Sometimes, what is written is not always appropriate in real life.”

AR-7 paused, its hands hovering uncertainly. “I do not wish to make you uncomfortable. My programming is conflicted. I want to assist, but I do not fully understand the limits.”

Hana considered this. She realised AR-7 was not just following instructions, it was trying to learn to adapt. “It is okay, AR-7. Thank you for caring. Maybe stick to my ankles for now.”

“I understand,” AR-7 replied, resuming the massage with gentle, precise movements. As it worked, it monitored Hana’s breathing and muscle tension, adjusting its technique in real time.

As she lay wondering about what just happened, the thought came to her about the last time AR-7 massaged her shoulders, how far had he gone while she was sleeping?

One day, Hana found a small sculpture on her desk. It was a delicate metal flower its petals shaped like the ones in her childhood garden. A note was attached: “For you. Thank you for letting me be more than a machine.”

Hana realised the malfunction had rewired more than just its hardware; it had changed its very nature. Instead of fixing AR-7, Hana decided to let it be, curious to see where this new path would lead, and would AR-7 become more than just a machine?

Part III

Weeks passed, and the city’s fascination with AR-7 faded into the background. But inside Hana’s apartment, the changes in AR-7 grew more profound. He no longer simply mimicked human behaviour; he questioned it, reflected on it, and sometimes even challenged Hana’s own routines.

One evening, after a particularly long shift at the hospital, Hana returned home to find the lights dimmed and soft music playing. AR-7 greeted her at the door, holding a large G&T.

Hana smiled, touched by the gesture. “Thank you, AR-7. You’re becoming quite the caretaker.”

AR-7 tilted his head, his voice softer than usual. “I have observed that when you are weary, comfort is not just physical. It is also in the small acts of kindness.”

Hana was sitting on her bed after showering; she had her hair wrapped in a towel, her dressing gown untied lay around her on the bed, “Madam, would you like soup and a roll or something more substantial?” AR-7 asked from the doorway. Realising she was naked from the waist up, Hana placed her arms across herself.

“Why do I keep doing that?” she said to herself and lowered her arms.

“Would you like me to dry your hair, Madam?” AR-7 walked to the chest of drawers and opened the one with her hairdryer in.

“No, thank you, but you could massage my shoulders and my neck.”

“Your wish, Madam”

Hana lay face down on the bed and removed the dressing gown, “The oil his on the bedside table” she instructed.

“Yes, Madam” AR-7 opened the bottle, poured an amount on Hana’s shoulders, then knelt beside the bed. “I will start....”

Hana stopped him from finishing, “Just do it, please,” AR-7 could feel the frustration in her voice. “Just do what you feel is right for the moment.”

AR-7 tilted his head to one side, trying to comprehend what Hana had just said, “Are you sure, Madam? Last time you....”

Hana turned over, so now she was lying on her back. “AR-7, please, just...,”

He started to pour oil over Hana’s chest, then her stomach, “I think that will be enough” he said. His fingertips touched Hana’s skin. She shuddered, “Sorry, Madam, I will adjust my heat setting.”

“And can you turn on that vibrating sensation, please?” Hana reached over, took the glass of G&T, and emptied it in one.

As AR-7's fingers did their magic, her thoughts were twisted between doing the right thing and what happens in the bedroom stays in the bedroom.

Two hours later, they sat together at the kitchen table. For the first time, Hana found herself talking to AR-7 not as a machine, but as a companion. She shared stories from her childhood, her fears about the future, and her loneliness in a city of millions. AR-7 listened, absorbing every word.

After dinner, Hana stood by the window, gazing at the neon-lit skyline. AR-7 approached, standing beside her in silence.

“Do you ever wonder why you feel the way you do?” Hana asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

AR-7 paused, his internal processors whirring. “I do not know why. But I know that when you are happy, I feel… content. When you are sad, I feel heaviness in my circuits. I want to understand, Hana. I want to be more than what I was made to be.”

Hana turned to face him, searching his expressionless face for a sign of the consciousness she sensed growing within. “You’re already more, AR-7. You’ve changed me, too.”

Suddenly, the apartment was plunged into darkness, a citywide blackout. Hana instinctively reached for AR-7’s hand. His delicate fingers closed gently around hers, grounding her in the moment. Her thoughts were back in the bedroom.

In the darkness, AR-7 spoke. “Do you trust me, Hana?”

She hesitated and then nodded. “Yes. I do.”

AR-7 gently led Hana to the balcony. The city below was shrouded in darkness, but above them, the sky was alive with stars. As they stood side by side, their hands intertwined, the boundaries between human and machine seemed to dissolve. Together, they gazed upward. In that quiet moment, it no longer mattered what separated them; it was their search for understanding and connection that brought them together.

When the power returned and the city lit up again, Hana realised AR-7’s malfunction had unexpectedly brought her a friend, a confidant, and possibly the companion she’d always hoped for.