personoiduille

Personoiduille is a neologism used in speculative fiction and media theory to describe a diminutive humanoid automaton or avatar. The term denotes a life-like entity that is smaller or less physically imposing than a standard android and is commonly used to explore questions of autonomy, embodiment, and social interaction in digital environments.

Origin and usage: The word is formed from personoid, a coinage for person-like beings, and the French diminutive suffix -uille. It has appeared primarily in online discussions, indie fiction, and game-writing since the 2010s, with varying definitions across authors.

Characteristics: In typical depictions, a personoiduille may be fully autonomous or remotely controlled, and exists as a physical robot, a virtual avatar, or a hybrid. Their size ranges from a few centimeters to a few decimeters. They often function as social actors, companions, or tools for exploring ethical issues related to artificial intelligence, consent, and personhood.

In fiction and theory, the concept is used to examine how scale affects perception, autonomy, and rights in human-AI relationships. Some critics argue the term risks anthropomorphism or sanitizing concerns about AI by focusing on cute or diminutive forms.

Related concepts include androids, humanoid robots, avatars, and micro-robotics.