Strangest Active Robots
Extra Creepy Robot Subtitute Teacher
The Japanese seem to have a robot for everything. Need a supermodel robot? Yep, got one of them. Looking for a giant baby robot that spits fire? No problem. How about a substitute teacher? Well, now Japan has one of those too.
Recently, students at a Tokyo elementary school returned from holidays to find their teacher had been replaced by “Saya” a talking human-like robot. Saya was first developed to be a receptionist robot (yeah, they have those too) by Hiroshi Kobayashi of the Tokyo University of Science. Recently, however, the robot has been taking on work as a substitute teacher. I guess the recession is tough on robots too.
Saya can speak multiple languages, uses facial expressions to communicate emotions ranging from surprise and happiness to sadness and anger to just downright creepy. The robot, however, reportedly needs to improve her classroom management technique. Right now, Saya is only able to call out names and shout “Be quiet.” I’m not sure what the problem is there – sounds like every substitute teacher I ever had.
photo credits: Pink Tentacle
Japan’s Robot Supermodel Hits the Runway
Okay – it’s now official: Japan is kicking America’s butt in all the important areas. First it was Barack Obama action figures, then it was dogs riding bicycles, and now it’s robot supermodels. Is there anything Japan can’t do?
The new HRP-4C fembot walked down the runway for the first time at the recent Tokyo Fashion Week. The robot can imitate the expressions, walk and poses of a supermodel with help from battery-powered motors in her body and face.
Here she is making her runway debut:
The HRP-4C stands a bit short at 5 ft 2 inches and weighs a very model-like 95 pounds. She was modelled on the wide-eyed characters popular in Japanese “anime” cartoons, although apparently left they out the oversized boobs.
Filed Under: Tech
