Ultra-lifelike robot debuts in Japan

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07-06-2005, 11:29 PM
The Man

Ultra-lifelike robot debuts in Japan

Oh, those crazy Japanese

Quote:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/n...0610_robot.jpg

June 10, 2005—Quick, which one is the robot?

Repliee Q1 (at left in both pictures) appeared yesterday at the 2005 World Expo in Japan, where she gestured, blinked, spoke, and even appeared to breathe. Shown with co-creator Hiroshi Ishiguru of Osaka University, the android is partially covered in skinlike silicone. Q1 is powered by a nearby air compressor, and has 31 points of articulation in its upper body.

Internal sensors allow the android to react "naturally." It can block an attempted slap, for example. But it's the little, "unconscious" movements that give the robot its eerie verisimilitude: the slight flutter of the eyelids, the subtle rising and falling of the chest, the constant, nearly imperceptible shifting so familiar to humans.

Surrounded by machines that draw portraits, swat fast-moving balls, and snake through debris, Q1 is only one of the showstoppers at the expo's Prototype Robot Exposition, which aims to showcase Japan's growing role in the robotics industry.

But given Q1's reported glitch-related "spasms" at the expo, it may be a while before androids are escorting tour groups or looking after children—which may be just as well. "When a robot looks too much like the real thing, it's creepy," Hiroshi told the Associated Press.

—Ted Chamberlain
07-06-2005, 11:32 PM
Flying Mullet

Wow, that's cool. :)
07-06-2005, 11:36 PM
The Man

More info here: http://ed-02.ams.eng.osaka-u.ac.jp/l...lieeQ1_eng.htm
07-06-2005, 11:37 PM
SomethingBig

I wonder if it can do you know what. :joey:

I remember seeing this on SA. It sure is amazing how far science has come. I also remember seeing a japanese inventor create a giant, walking robot that has squirt guns built in.
07-07-2005, 12:19 AM
Dr.K

That's intriguing, it'll certainly be interesting to see how they'll refine the technology over the coming years.
Although I'd agree with the creator saying "When a robot looks too much like the real thing, it's creepy". That'd be my only qualm.
07-07-2005, 01:12 AM
Shlup

That's a pretty sweet bot.
07-07-2005, 01:15 AM
XxSephirothxX

That's pretty amazing.
07-07-2005, 01:18 AM
My name is...something..?

Sweeet!
Technology's coming along so freaking fast. :eek:
07-07-2005, 01:22 AM
Shlup

Actually, after having watched the video, I'm not sure I'm that impressed. I've seen robots at least that good at Disneyland.
07-07-2005, 01:25 AM
Shoeberto

When I saw the picture, my first thought was: Realdoll.
07-07-2005, 01:34 AM
The Man

I'm not sure you were alone in thinking that. ;)
07-07-2005, 01:35 AM
My name is...something..?

I just watched one of the videos.
It's creepy seeing it talk to the camera. :(
07-07-2005, 02:27 AM
Super Christ

I am not very impressed. I'll grant that there has been tremendous progress in the field, and this thing is not merely superior but vastly superior to anything you'd have seen 5 to 7 years ago, but I won't be impressed until they can actually fool me into thinking it's a person. And not just in pictures, not just in video even - but actually interacting and talking to it. Once they can do that, that's where things start to get interesting.
07-07-2005, 02:52 AM
Lionx

Well theres always the rich man's alternatives to blow up dolls. So whens the Katsumi one out?
07-07-2005, 05:51 AM
theundeadhero

I wish I could of asked that robot to prom. It would have been funner than my real date :p
07-07-2005, 06:24 AM
Cless

Wow, that's pretty neat. I think it would be pretty creepy if they got too human-like though. :(
07-07-2005, 06:33 AM
-N-

http://shenko.homedns.org/pbc/zomg.jpg

Seriously, that is way cool. :)
07-07-2005, 06:46 AM
Kawaii Ryûkishi

Hiroshi Ishiguru is the real star here. Just look at him, with his foppy haircut and concerned look towards his creation. I can already see him scrambling to keep Q1 from causing disasters in delicate social situations and eventually teaching her what love means. We're overdue for a Wonder Project J3.
07-07-2005, 07:17 AM
Shlup

I already have that anime.
07-07-2005, 07:49 AM
nik0tine

This is incredible, but it's scary as all hell. Imagine what kind of things governments could use these robots for. We're soon going to be living in an incredibly frightening age.
07-07-2005, 07:50 AM
ShunNakamura

you know what is really scary.. it is that that guy's haircut is very similar to mine.. same color(or close to it) too.

Anyways, maybe it is just that the pictures are still frame.. but she looks a bit too... stiff to be human. That or the person was REALLY tense. :rolleyes2

Can't wait till the world of Armitage III is reached :P
07-07-2005, 09:31 AM
Meat Puppet

I wonder when this bot migrates to #eoff.
07-07-2005, 05:12 PM
Shoden

keep it away from #eoff it's insane enough lol i still want to be insane with em though

amazing quite cool
07-07-2005, 06:05 PM
Necronopticous

I'd hit it.
07-07-2005, 08:45 PM
nik0tine

Quote:

Originally Posted by Necronopticous

I'd hit it.

There is a strict 'no spam' policy in effect in this forum, Mr. Cids Knight! :p
07-07-2005, 09:00 PM
Itsunari 2000

Reminds me of the female Mecha in the opening scenes of A.I ...

That's quite something.
07-08-2005, 11:16 AM
KoShiatar

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hsu

When I saw the picture, my first thought was: Realdoll.

Truly.
07-08-2005, 11:24 AM
GooeyToast

Quote:

Originally Posted by Itsunari 2000

Reminds me of the female Mecha in the opening scenes of A.I ...

That's quite something.

Me too.

What a coincidence.
07-08-2005, 05:20 PM
theundeadhero

Quote:

I'd hit it.

Warning: Risk of electric shock.
Do not insert penis into mouth.
07-08-2005, 06:42 PM
Madame Adequate

Quote:

Originally Posted by theundeadhero

Quote:

I'd hit it.

Warning: Risk of electric shock.
Do not insert penis into mouth.

A risk I'll take.

Seriously though, that's pretty awesome. Even if we're a long way away from A.I. (Which we probably are), we could program these things to do all sorts of things.

I wonder if anyone in Japan has built a tentacle bot...?
07-08-2005, 07:47 PM
GooeyToast

They probably built a Godzilla bot.