Japanese scientists say they have finally developed the technological know how to make robots that look, walk and even think a bit like us, and that we can expect to see thousands of humanoids working face to face with real humans within the next decade. She almost looks human and needs no introduction. Robot, "I am one of the new types of androids." Humanoid receptionists like this one are expected to advance to more complex secretarial work in about five years. Just don’t ask how they got so smart. Robot, “That’s a secret.” But there’s no mystery about why they’re being built. Yuko Yokota, planning department manager at Kokoro, a company that designs and makes humanoid robots, "They do not get old, they are forever young and beautiful and above all they are tough. Unlike humans they can work 24 hours." This is the latest walking, talking humanoid. Its creators want to manufacture up to 10,000 annually. Robot engineers say no major breakthroughs are now needed to create much more sophisticated humanoids with limited artificial intelligence. It’s less glamorous-looking inventions like this one that could lead the way. This infant robot has been programmed to learn like a real child through touch sensors, camera-eyes and verbal interaction. It might cause unease in the West, more used to violent science fiction robot warriors. But in Japan they’re generally seen as friendly helpers. Professor Minoru Asada, Osaka University, Head of the team that developed "Child-Robot with Biomimetic Body", "In Japan many people suppose that robots can be the partner, the family member, not the soldier". There have been studies on implementing human brain activity in humanoids as well as placing robot elements in humans, creating cyborgs. Not everyone here thinks that’s a great idea. 3: Fumio Miyazaki engineering science professor at Osaka University, "I think we need to draw a line or implement controls somewhere."
Japanese scientists say they have finally developed the technological know how to make robots that l...
