NTT's Virtual Humanoid Project

It doesn't take long to conjure images of lonely men in tiny apartments when we think of Japan, and projects like NTT's latest development don't help. At the recent "NTT Group Communications EXPO," the company demonstrated a technology called "Virtual Humanoid," where a human-shaped figure appears to be nothing but green to the naked eye, but a (creepy) woman's features appear to be on the figure when the viewer is equipped with a special Head-Mounted Display unit, . The possibilities are endless -- NTT looks to bring robotics into the formula so the figure can move and interact even further. Right, move and interact. NTT's final goal for the project is to enable people to have a game of baseball with Ichiro, so it looks like they'll be at this one for a while.

[Keith @ Dec 23rd 2005 6:21PM]

I'm going to let someone else say the dirty thoughts that are in my mind about this. I don't want to spoil my name.

[XGM @ Dec 23rd 2005 7:44PM]

#2, that aint surprising. Its almost like thats what there doing it for...

[Anthony Pierre @ Dec 23rd 2005 8:09PM]

Dirty thoughts aside, there is the likely scenario of this technology being put to manipulative use of the negative kind. As usual, the wrong tools in the wrong persons' hands could be made to produce any manner of results. However, on the bright side, I can see where the positive side of probably applying the technology to assist persons suffering from some degree of memory loss or mild form of dementia.

[Butter @ Dec 23rd 2005 8:22PM]

hi, im demented. don't mind me, i'll just be over here talking to a green felt mannequin so i can become less demented.

[Blackacre @ Dec 23rd 2005 11:12PM]

Ok, I shouldn't have to write this but someone needs to help the Japanese out. In my whole life (31.5 years) I've seen a lot...lived in four different countries (US, Japan, Mexico, South Korea) and am pretty open to witnessing and seeing new things (anyone ever hear of donkey's and women of ill-repute in Mexico?). That's not really as disturbing as this if you sit in a quiet, slightly darkened room for a moment and really think about it.

Sex with robots... even if the robot looks hot you've just got to realize that you've basically sunk lower than the level of that dog that *tried*(?) to hump your leg that time.



At least you were alive.



Good luck and be sure to automate a clean up function...I wonder if it will have a program:

#include cleanup.h

func(douche);



And, will those video game schools end up asking their testers to QC these things? hmmmmm....

[Dylan @ Dec 24th 2005 12:13AM]

Hah! That's pretty damn cool.

[Frodo @ Dec 24th 2005 5:59AM]

Futurama Flashback (of flashforward ?)

Download your favorite celebrity :)

[Druidika @ Dec 24th 2005 6:04AM]

Where's the nudepatch?

[Drewsef @ Dec 24th 2005 10:53AM]

nerds.

[Michael Shada @ Dec 24th 2005 2:34PM]

I WANT ONE! I WANT ONE!



Where else can you get a girlfriend / Wife / Whatever, that can look as Beautiful as you want, whenever you want AND change appearances so you don't get bored with her.



And, the BEST part is when you�re done you can turn her OFF!!! AND SHUT HER THE HELL UP!!! LOL

[ikkedus @ Dec 25th 2005 8:28AM]

Why don't they just paint a face on it? Uniform green is easier to apply or what?

[ikkedus @ Dec 25th 2005 8:41AM]

#6

Sex is about the reptilian brain (the oldest part). Like Windows95 is put on top of MSDOS, the early mammal part and the neo cortex are put on top of the reptilian brain). So it doesn't need to be very real. And therefore, it isn't sad. I think it makes life a little easier, really. It's a stupid ritual anyway. Ever wondered why such a stupid thing never bores?

[James @ Dec 25th 2005 7:10PM]

#13: "Why don't they just paint a face on it? Uniform green is easier to apply or what?"



Probably a combination of two reasons: so it can be reconfigured (facial expressions, things like that), and so it's easier for the software to track (the same reason you use plain blue or green backgrounds when working with CGI).



Interesting idea, certainly. Yes, for sex it is just the next step on from a RealDoll, which is itself just the next step from a vibrator - but think beyond that. Imagine the ultimate convenience dinner: instead of leaving it sitting in the microwave, programmed to start at 5:30pm so it's ready for your return from work, you could leave the robot to tidy the house and grill a nice steak for your return...

[darkflame @ Dec 26th 2005 9:52AM]

Augmented Reality is the future, this is just another application for it.



All the advantages of the virtual and the real.

Everything we want, anywhere we want. Image and visuals will become as changeable as the wind.



Our Future is augmented.

[Keithallen @ Dec 27th 2005 11:59PM]

I can't believe the negative comments above.

How about the positive aspects of an invention like this?

Like an interactive study companion, or if linked to a person on the other end of a phone line, you could see the person you're talking to.

Maybe a companion for the home-bound to play games with?

I can see where something like this would be welcome to lonely poeple.

[dbot @ Dec 28th 2005 1:14AM]

1. Where is the open source code or SDK ?

2. How can I order 12 ?

3. Where can I invest ?

Can anyone here tell me (independent of their personal feelings on the topic) that it won't be worth jillions?

[Harbinger @ Dec 28th 2005 1:46PM]

Seriously people, let's think past the first instinct. How about after-dinner conversation with your 80 yr old grandparents who live in the boondocks? Or physician simulation?