A humanoid robot which was presented on Wednesday in Tokyo will be the new host of a live television program in Japan, as part of a recent social experiment, aiming to prove that a robot can develop and grow through communication with human beings.
"Androidol U" measures 1.6 meters (around 5 feet 2 inches), weighs approximately the same as a human being and responds automatically to people who talk to it through a video portal Niconico.
During the presentation, the robot came on stage in a ball chair and read some of the comments made by people.
"U" has the appearance of a young Japanese woman; with medium-length hair and bangs, a white top, jeans and high heels. Make-up, painted nails and long eyelashes complete the human look.
In Japan, such robots are often seen in display windows, in theatre plays or even movies, including "Sayonara" (Goodbye in Japanese).
Japanese scientist Hiroshi Ishiguro, considered the father of android robots and known for creating a robotic copy of himself, said that in coming years robots will provide assistance in public spaces, malls, stations and schools, and even teach as professors.
"U" is the first of these new robots; the weekly interactive program will increase its vocabulary and contribute to improving its artificial intelligence.
Communication with users helps to minimize the robot's limitations; as the robot gathers more data, it develops more, according to Ishiguro, who is also a professor at Osaka University and the director of the Intelligent Robotics Laboratory.
The project has been developed by Ishiguro himself, in collaboration with telecommunications company Dwango - Niconico's owner - and departmental store giant Parco.
Ishiguro, who wants the robots to gradually help human beings to communicate with each other, described the program as an interesting way to know what the people really think of "U".
The exact start date of the program is still unknown, and the project's officials have also so far dismissed the robot being available for sale.
Source: EFE
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