Japanese Engineer Makes Creepy Android Puppet

[Logan Westbrook]

Japanese Engineer Makes Creepy Android Puppet


A Japanese roboticist has created the most realistic robot to date, and it's as creepy as it is impressive.


Say hello to the Geminoid-F, the latest creation from engineer Hiroshi Ishiguro, one of Japan's most famous roboticists. The Geminoid-F was designed to mimic a particular person - in this case the girl you see in the video - and can copy its operators facial expressions using a the twelve actuators in its face, and a camera system that can follow a human face and send the data to the robot.

The Geminoid-F is eerily life-like, and while it's not going to pass for human any time soon - it's a little too uncanny valley inducing for that - it's still a very impressive copy of an actual person. Ishiguro has plans to sell doppelganger robots to anyone who wants one, and has the $111,000 dollars to spend.

For some reason, a quote from Terminator keeps coming to mind: "The 600 series had rubber skin. We spotted them easy, but these are new." The revolution draws ever closer my brothers and sisters. Be ready.

Source: CrunchGear [http://www.crunchgear.com/2010/04/05/creepy-creepier-japans-new-android-video/]


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[Crayzor]

God, the sooner we get out of uncanny valley, the better.

 

[thenumberthirteen]

Sure we'll have terminators, but then we'll move onto Cylons and they'll make out with you as you explode, so it's not all bad.

 

[SUPA FRANKY]

Seriously dude, scientist are pulling so many stuff out of their ass, their just making 2012 seem more and more believable.

 

[Arkhangelsk]

The Terminators are coming soon. We must cleanse this world of robots. Kill it! KILL IT WITH FIRE!

 

[ShadowKirby]

Just a question of time before it tries to kill the original woman and take her place.

But yeah, this is pretty deep down the uncanny valley.

 

[ssgt splatter]

Ok first, freaky.
Second, what exactly IS the Uncanny valley?

 

[D0WNT0WN]

Ok first, freaky.
Second, what exactly IS the Uncanny valley?

Basicly it is a dip in the scale of human likenesses.

Spoiler

 

[wildpeaks]

Ok first, freaky.
Second, what exactly IS the Uncanny valley?

Uncanny valley is exactly what you highlighted in your first sentence, that freakiness people feel towards human-looking androids.
This is better here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncanny_valley

 

[saphirekosmos]

It is pretty much and area in which something tries to be human looking, but just doesn't quite make it. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncanny_valley This explains it better.

 

[ethaninja]

Sure we'll have terminators, but then we'll move onto Cylons and they'll make out with you as you explode, so it's not all bad.

Hehe. Then we take a little adventer "Beyond the red line" for four seasons

 

[wildpeaks]

Is it strange that I don't find such androids creepy at all ? (or perhaps I'm one too and only think I'm human )

 

[Jared]

Wow...thats pretty...wow, lol.

Well, congrats to him on been bale to creep everyone on the internet out...the question is what exactly he plans do to next...

 

[sune26]

Well this cant possibly do anything good....
A weirdo rich enough to buy this will probably use for "things"
And this brings the dreaded robot revolution even closer.
If they suddenly make a robot that can regenerate itself and consists of liquid metal, im getting my pitchfork.

 

[ma55ter_fett]

The future is looking good for us Bladerunner want-a-be's

 

[sune26]

Is it strange that I don't find such androids creepy at all ? (or perhaps I'm one too and only think I'm human )

Try jabbing yourself with something pointy and see if you're made of metal

 

[wildpeaks]

Is it strange that I don't find such androids creepy at all ? (or perhaps I'm one too and only think I'm human )

Try jabbing yourself with something pointy and see if you're made of metal

That wouldn't mean much, I could be a flesh and plasma-based android [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_Recall_2070].

Also, it hurts

 

[DarkLordofDevon]

Oh Japan. When will end your obsession with making human replica robots?

 

[Distorted Stu]

Too... creepy... *shudders*

Also, i dib in 2020 we will have sexbots. Just putting that out there!