Actroid robot greets Japan World Expo visitors a bit too naturally

Peep that photo at right and tell us you wouldn't have to do a double-take. The Actroid robot, developed by Kokoro and Advanced Media, will greet guests at the information booth of Japan's World Expo opening March 25 in Aichi. She understands 40,000 phrases in each of four languages and has nuanced facial expressions to match the more than 2,000 types of answers she can give. She's even imbued with a sense of irony; when asked if she is a robot, she answers disconnectedly and with clumsy movements — followed by a "just kidding!" before reverting to smooth humanoid motions. If you skim the article too quickly, you might miss the glorious factoid that she can also perform rap music. It's gonna be a party up in Aichi!

[Via Near Near future]

[Brian @ Dec 19th 2005 1:22AM]

Someone has to get video of this thing.

[huh? @ Dec 19th 2005 1:22AM]

"More human than human" is our motto.

[BJBarron @ Dec 19th 2005 1:22AM]

As long as they cover her ugly looking legs. UGH!!! I mean what is that? Panty hose with 80's fall down puffy socks? UGH!! UGH!!!

[tacotaco @ Dec 19th 2005 1:22AM]

I'd still do her/it... You know, for science.
Yeah, like I'm the only one.

[Jeff @ Dec 19th 2005 1:22AM]

They are demonstrating 65 robots at that show! Including "partner" robots and many more humanoid robots, including ones with "flexible backbones." Many of the robots appear to have been designed by graduate students.

Hmmmm, engineering graduate students, long nights in the lab, and humanoid robots with flexible backbones..... What ever could that be all about?

But seriously folks, holy Isaac Asimov! Time to start embedding the 3 Laws into these things before we wind up in Terminator land.

[B.K. DeLong @ Dec 19th 2005 1:22AM]

There's a video here: http://www.kokoro-dreams.co.jp/movie7.html

[TheZodiac @ Dec 19th 2005 1:22AM]

Im with tacotaco on the andriodsex. Why not?

[omgwtfbbq @ Dec 19th 2005 1:22AM]

Now it's only a matter of time before perverted japanese businessmen try to molest her 0_o

[StevenL @ Dec 19th 2005 1:22AM]

Anyone went to the site and happen to catch the name of the expo? It's "New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization". They shortened to "NEDO" for short... It was probably a fluke but I thought it was a play on words... "NEDO" possibly pronounced "neato". LOL

Steve

[Jeff @ Dec 19th 2005 1:22AM]

"I mean what is that? Panty hose with 80's fall down puffy socks?"

It's called a different culture. This is a popular style there, like it or not. It has nothing to do with what decade we're in - people have been wearing those puffy socks there for as long as I can remember.

There are a lot of things we wear that they think look absolutely stupid too (like jeans with a sport-jacket, which would be about equivalent to this for them).

[rocafellaice @ Dec 19th 2005 1:22AM]

Different culture?!?! You mean there are other cultures out there????? (joke)

[Digzasta @ Dec 19th 2005 1:22AM]

My question in a non demeaning sense(I would do it to a male robot to if it were an option). What would happen if you reached in and slapped her. Would she respond? And would it be considered assult or vandalizing?

[rip @ Dec 19th 2005 1:22AM]

ok, 2 of these, 4 aibos, a few of those Sony bluetooth remote cams, a couple of "open-minded" models... cha-ching! Can you say money-making website? ;)

[Bill @ Dec 19th 2005 1:22AM]

Thanks for the video link post. Well it's a start but Im still reminded of the Pirates of the Carribean ride at Disney. Her face is very realistic though.

[OddManOut @ Dec 19th 2005 1:22AM]

"I'd still do her/it... You know, for science.
Yeah, like I'm the only one."

I wouldn't be halfway surprised to find out that's an option.

Knowing both the Japanese attention to detail and the...er...pre-occupation their engineers seem to have with sex and the female form (they are of course not alone in this), I would not be at all astonished to find out she's anatomically correct.

Come to think of it...precisely what was this robot designed for in the first place ?

Hmmmm.....

[mveloso @ Dec 19th 2005 1:22AM]

Maybe these guys and the makers of RealDolls could get together for a special "Japanese Schoolgirl" model. Ka-ching!

[japanchikan @ Dec 19th 2005 1:22AM]

who cares what she speaks. her mouth looks reaaal purdy...wonder whats under that skirt too?

[Marc @ Dec 19th 2005 1:22AM]

I keep waiting for Japan to build my next girlfriend but they keep beating around the bush...

[Gordy @ Dec 19th 2005 1:22AM]

Funny, that video really looked suggestive. I mean, what was up with the close-up? It looked like kiddie pr0n.

[Nate @ Dec 19th 2005 1:22AM]

Hmmm... at first I thought this was about one of those Japanese toilets that analyzes your poop. I guess it's about the girl, not the thing she's sitting on. :-)

[Foof @ Dec 19th 2005 1:22AM]

I saw the picture and the word "Japan" in the title and thought it was about a new kind of motorized toilet.

[stephane @ Dec 19th 2005 1:22AM]

je trouve ca assez cocasse de votre part, de plus que ces ingenieurs ont mis beaucoups d'annees a faire ce concept, moi je trouve ca fascinant de pouvoir faire un robot pareille en plus ca demande plusieurs heures, je vous demanderez un peut de respect.

[jimbo92107 @ Dec 19th 2005 1:22AM]

This is either the first fembot, or the precursor of it. We are sexual creatures, and sex sells. If these guys don't pursue this enormous potential market, you can be sure somebody else will.

Knowing the Japanese yen (!) for kinky stuff, I think we can all imagine the future models being worked on in the back room.

Probably for awhile they'll be stuck in sitting position, but walking robots are currently being refined, and transmitting power to a robot is as simple as a rechargeable toothbrush.

Before long we may see Star Trek transformed into reality, with comely fembots pampering the super-rich, always looking pretty, always ready for love, always making the right sounds and the right vibrations.

Of course, the mind of the fembot need not occupy its body--wireless links to a remote supercomputer can ensure that it will say the right things, move the right way, and always let you win at chess...unless you order it to beat you...;-)

All this may provide a few priveleged individuals with some harmless entertainment, until the day the robots decide that humans are illogical and unneccessary. Then they will eliminate all humans.

[jimbo92107 @ Dec 19th 2005 1:22AM]

This is either the first fembot, or the precursor of it. We are sexual creatures, and sex sells. If these guys don't pursue this enormous potential market, you can be sure somebody else will.

Knowing the Japanese yen (!) for kinky stuff, I think we can all imagine the future models being worked on in the back room.

Probably for awhile they'll be stuck in sitting position, but walking robots are currently being refined, and transmitting power to a robot is as simple as a rechargeable toothbrush.

Before long we may see Star Trek transformed into reality, with comely fembots pampering the super-rich, always looking pretty, always ready for love, always making the right sounds and the right vibrations.

Of course, the mind of the fembot need not occupy its body--wireless links to a remote supercomputer can ensure that it will say the right things, move the right way, and always let you win at chess...unless you order it to beat you...;-)

All this may provide a few priveleged individuals with some harmless entertainment, until the day the robots decide that humans are illogical and unneccessary. Then they will eliminate all humans.

[PlayTOE- @ Dec 19th 2005 1:22AM]

Kokoro has done a great job with these. We will soon see them in a movie as actors, (not if, just when?).
One thing though - they could smile more, it would make them less �real� but much nicer.

I expect to see these employed as security desk personnel in buildings where they will always be pleasant and work 24/7 with no breaks. Real employees get bored with saying �the elevator is to your left, Mr. Jones is on floor 23�. (Besides most real desk sitters fail to know who is in and out, or where they are located, a robot would remember).

As for sex bots ... sure it is a market, but these girls are not quite �open for business� in that area. Give them a little time and one never knows. Personal Care Assistant robots fem or he may be our next greater Home Appliance.

[PlayTOE- @ Dec 19th 2005 1:22AM]

Kokoro has done a great job with these. We will soon see them in a movie as actors, (not if, just when?).
One thing though - they could smile more, it would make them less �real� but much nicer.

I expect to see these employed as security desk personnel in buildings where they will always be pleasant and work 24/7 with no breaks. Real employees get bored with saying �the elevator is to your left, Mr. Jones is on floor 23�. (Besides most real desk sitters fail to know who is in and out, or where they are located, a robot would remember).

As for sex bots ... sure it is a market, but these girls are not quite �open for business� in that area. Give them a little time and one never knows. Personal Care Assistant robots fem or he may be our next greater Home Appliance.