The new Japanese humanoid robot HRP-4C displays a range of emotions
(good luck discerning what they are) during a press conference in suburban
Tokyo this week. Naturally, plenty of paparazzi were on hand.
(Credit: AFP Photo/Yoshikazu Tsuno)(good luck discerning what they are) during a press conference in suburban
Tokyo this week. Naturally, plenty of paparazzi were on hand.
She doesn't havethe grace of a
Cindy Crawford or
Elle MacPherson
(yet), but a few
struts on the catwalk
may help HRP-4C
loosen up and hit her
stride. The walking,
talking girlbot will be getting practice soon, as she's set
to make her catwalk debut at a Tokyo fashion show next
week.
Scientists from Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science
and Technologyreportedly designed the 5-foot (ish), dark-haired creation
to look like an average Japanese woman between the ages of 19 and 29.
Unlike the average Japanese woman, however, HRP-4C has 30 motors
in her body that allow her to walk and move its arms (somewhat loudly
and awkwardly, if the video below is any indication) and 8 facial motors for
blinking, smiling, and expressing emotions akin to anger and surprise.
and Technologyreportedly designed the 5-foot (ish), dark-haired creation
to look like an average Japanese woman between the ages of 19 and 29.
Unlike the average Japanese woman, however, HRP-4C has 30 motors
in her body that allow her to walk and move its arms (somewhat loudly
and awkwardly, if the video below is any indication) and 8 facial motors for
blinking, smiling, and expressing emotions akin to anger and surprise.
According to the Associated Press, the roboticframework for the HRP-4C, sans face and other
coverings, will sell for about $200,000, and the
technology behind it will eventually be made public
so people can come up their own moves for the bot.
The government-backed AIST says she's mostly being
developed for the entertainment industry--for use in
amusement parks, for example, or as an exercise
teacher--and is not yet ready to help with daily chores.
So unfortunately for those eager to hire HRP-4C as a
home or office assistant, for now at least, her main job
is to look pretty--or odd, depending on your perspective.
developed for the entertainment industry--for use in
amusement parks, for example, or as an exercise
teacher--and is not yet ready to help with daily chores.
So unfortunately for those eager to hire HRP-4C as a
home or office assistant, for now at least, her main job
is to look pretty--or odd, depending on your perspective.
