A humanoid robot that can mimic facial expressions is entertaining shoppers at a department store in Osaka, western Japan. The 160-centimeter tall android is called Minami. She was modeled on a real woman. Minami can smile, frown or show other emotions by adjusting her silicon skin with air pressure. On Friday, she was joined by a male android modeled on Osaka University Professor Hiroshi Ishiguro. He developed the female android.
The male android explained that Minami can hold conversations by scanning people's facial expressions and gestures with micro-cameras and sensors and judging the situation. Minamo entertained the shoppers by responding to prepared questions while changing her facial expressions and blinking.
The robot, who resembles a woman in her 20s wearing a yellow sweater and scarf, said, "I like looking for interesting but little-known places in Osaka," in response to a question about her hobbies submitted on a touch panel at the Takashimaya outlet. The latest creation of robotics expert Hiroshi Ishiguro talks when people are detected through cameras and sensors installed in its surrounding.
(House of Japan)
The robot, who resembles a woman in her 20s wearing a yellow sweater and scarf, said, "I like looking for interesting but little-known places in Osaka," in response to a question about her hobbies submitted on a touch panel at the Takashimaya outlet. The latest creation of robotics expert Hiroshi Ishiguro talks when people are detected through cameras and sensors installed in its surrounding.
(House of Japan)
