"Crossing the uncanny valley" refers to the concept in robotics, computer graphics, and animation where a realistic human-like representation reaches a point where it becomes difficult to distinguish between an artificial creation and an actual human being. The term "uncanny valley" was coined by the robotics professor Masahiro Mori in 1970 to describe a phenomenon where as a robot or virtual character becomes more human-like in appearance and behavior, there is a corresponding increase in the feeling of eeriness or discomfort experienced by observers. However, once the representation achieves a certain level of realism, it crosses the uncanny valley, and the perception of artificiality diminishes, leading to a more positive and relatable response from viewers. In essence, "crossing the uncanny valley" means successfully creating a realistic and convincing human-like representation that no longer triggers feelings of unease or strangeness.