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Japanese scientists create creepy robot newsreader with human face | Japanese scientists create creepy robot newsreader with human face |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Anyone watching the morning news over their breakfast cereal may take a while to realise that this word-perfect anchor is not your average newsreader – she is a robot. | Anyone watching the morning news over their breakfast cereal may take a while to realise that this word-perfect anchor is not your average newsreader – she is a robot. |
Kodomoroid, an android created in Japan, is able to read the news, recite tongue-twisters, speak multiple languages and interact with people. | Kodomoroid, an android created in Japan, is able to read the news, recite tongue-twisters, speak multiple languages and interact with people. |
Designed as a “child” robot, it can use a variety of voices and switch from a deep male base to girlish tones in seconds while operators put in text. | Designed as a “child” robot, it can use a variety of voices and switch from a deep male base to girlish tones in seconds while operators put in text. |
On Tuesday, scientists also unveiled a woman robot called Otonaroid and Telenoid, which is just a mannequin head with pointed arms that serves as a “cuddly” companion. | On Tuesday, scientists also unveiled a woman robot called Otonaroid and Telenoid, which is just a mannequin head with pointed arms that serves as a “cuddly” companion. |
The two life-size machines have silicon skin and artificial muscles, giving them an eerily human appearance. | The two life-size machines have silicon skin and artificial muscles, giving them an eerily human appearance. |
Anyone visiting the Miraikan science museum in Tokyo will be able to meet them and interact with the robots, which will act as guides. | Anyone visiting the Miraikan science museum in Tokyo will be able to meet them and interact with the robots, which will act as guides. |
They can even make jokes and Kodomoroid said it dreamed of having a television show. | |
Hiroshi Ishiguro, an Osaka University professor and robotics expert, is using them for research on how people interact with robots and on what differentiates humans from machines. | Hiroshi Ishiguro, an Osaka University professor and robotics expert, is using them for research on how people interact with robots and on what differentiates humans from machines. |
He said: “Making androids is about exploring what it means to be human, examining the question of what is emotion, what is awareness, what is thinking.” | He said: “Making androids is about exploring what it means to be human, examining the question of what is emotion, what is awareness, what is thinking.” |
There were some glitches during Tuesday’s demonstration, with the lips sometimes not moving while the robot spoke. | There were some glitches during Tuesday’s demonstration, with the lips sometimes not moving while the robot spoke. |
Mr Ishiguro said that while Japan leads the world in playful companion robots, it was behind the US with military robots. | Mr Ishiguro said that while Japan leads the world in playful companion robots, it was behind the US with military robots. |
Hiroshi Ishiguro (L) and Miraikan museum director Mamoru Mori (R) pose with the robots Otonaroid (R) Kodomoroid (L) In over 20 years developing androids, Mr Ishiguro has made a point of mimicking the human appearance, even sending robotic doubles of himself to give overseas lectures. | Hiroshi Ishiguro (L) and Miraikan museum director Mamoru Mori (R) pose with the robots Otonaroid (R) Kodomoroid (L) In over 20 years developing androids, Mr Ishiguro has made a point of mimicking the human appearance, even sending robotic doubles of himself to give overseas lectures. |
Other robotics scientists say human appearance is pointless, not to mention unsettling, and robots can look like machines by taking the form of a television screen, for example. | Other robotics scientists say human appearance is pointless, not to mention unsettling, and robots can look like machines by taking the form of a television screen, for example. |
One company recently released a robot reminiscent of C-3PO that will go on the market for less than 200,000 yen (£112,000) | One company recently released a robot reminiscent of C-3PO that will go on the market for less than 200,000 yen (£112,000) |
“Robots are now becoming affordable - no different from owning a laptop,” said Mr Ishiguro. | “Robots are now becoming affordable - no different from owning a laptop,” said Mr Ishiguro. |
Additional reporting by AP | Additional reporting by AP |
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