14 DAY TRIAL // Courtesy of the warp speed advancements that are being made in science and technology in this day and age, the time we will have to smack folks in the face just to make sure they are humans might soon be upon us.
Not to beat about the bush, media reports say that, this past Tuesday, two freakishly human-like robots were unveiled in Tokyo, Japan, at the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation.
Of these two robots, one strikingly resembles an adult woman, and another looks like a young girl. The robots, one of which is pictured above, are not only able to move and speak, but are said to even have a sense of humor.
What's more, robotics specialist Hiroshi Ishiguro, who imagined, designed, and built them, claims that they are perfectly capable of showing emotions by changing their facial expressions, blinking, and moving their eyebrows.
As if this were not enough, the robots are engineered in such ways that, when they talk, whatever sounds their produce are in sync with the movements of their fake lips. Besides, their skin is surprisingly life-like.
According to Tech Times, Hiroshi Ishiguro had to work long and hard to make their robots as human-like as they are. This was achieved by using a special silicone similar to actual skin to cover up their circuits.
The robotics specialist who created these two androids claims that, all things considered, making it possible for visitors to the National Museum to interact with the robots is one very important step towards welcoming them into our lives.
“Until now, you could only see androids in research labs, so having them as permanent museum exhibits is an advance. Their hands move and their faces have move natural expressions,” Hiroshi Ishiguro reportedly says in a statement.
“In order to make something that is useful for people, we must first understand human beings. Androids may not be in use straight away, but the process of understanding our nature is the most interesting part of the study of androids,” he adds.
Of the two robots, one resembles a young girl. Her name is Kodomorid, and its creator says that it has the ability to recite news reports. The other one, Otonaroid, is strikingly similar to an adult woman, and is supposed to interact with visitors to the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation.
Interestingly enough, this museum in Tokyo is said to also be home to one other robot that, although not as life-like as these two, is small enough for visitors to be able to pick it up and cuddle with it.