The Disturbing Actroid-F Robot
October 28th, 2010Via: Plastic Pals:
AIST opened the doors of their lab for a couple of days (October 14th ~ 15th) to show off their robotics development and middleware. On display was the Actroid-F, developed by Kokoro Co. Ltd. and ATR. The operator’s facial expressions and head movements are tracked and replicated by the robot. The android is being positioned as an observer in hospitals to gauge patient reactions. However, despite the advances made in the last few years such as reducing the cost by a third by eliminating redundant actuators, it can’t escape the uncanny valley. The jerky head movements are particularly unnerving, but not to worry; its legs don’t actually work, so it can’t get up and chase you.
When they zoomed in on its chest I thought he was going to make it unbutton its shirt.