CBi. (C)JST, ATR

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Japan possesses some of the world's most advanced robotics technology, and Japanese researchers have developed a succession of groundbreaking models in the field of humanoid robots. Recently, attention has focused on robots with a high level of learning ability and robots whose human appearance and facial expressions make them more approachable.

HRP-4C. (C)AIST

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Saya. (C)Tokyo University of Science

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Robot Mimics Humans and MonkeysThe Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International (ATR) has developed a humanoid robot called CBi that possesses extraordinary learning abilities. CBi is equipped with a computer system that automatically programs physical movements. To demonstrate this ability, an experiment was conducted in January 2008 between ATR in Kyoto and Duke University in the United States, in which CBi imitated the movements of a monkey. The research team at Duke had a monkey walk on a treadmill. While it was walking, the electric signals in its brain were measured and sent via the Internet to CBi at ATR. CBi then reproduced the walking motion of the monkey based on these signals, and walked in a similar manner.

Humans can also teach CBi to perform actions. If a human takes CBi's hand or leg and repeats the same movement a number of times, CBi will learn that movement. CBi has already learned high-level movements such as batting a ball thrown by a human and rolling a ball on its palm. People were amazed when they saw a video released in January 2009 of CBi batting a ball - an exceptionally complex feat of coordination. Controlling a robot today requires expert knowledge, but there are high hopes that future developments will enable CBi to be controlled by general users.

Robots with Expressive Faces Elsewhere, the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) has developed a humanoid robot that is about the size of an average young Japanese woman. HRP-4C has facial expressions and movements that resemble those of humans, which makes people more comfortable in its presence that with earlier robots. HRP-4C's facial expressions were created with the face of an average Japanese woman in mind and exude an air of elegance. The material used for the surface of the face is highly elastic silicon, which enables HRP-4C to smile or express surprise. Since its movements are based on data from detailed analysis of human movements, it can move in a smoother and more human-like way than previous robots. The institute expects that HRP-4C will be used in the entertainment field; the robot has already acted as MC for a fashion show.

Saya. (C)Tokyo University of Science

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Professor Kobayashi Hiroshi of Tokyo University of Science has developed a humanoid robot called Saya that has an even wider range of facial expressions. Like HRP-4C, Saya has the appearance of a young Japanese woman. Saya's face is made of synthetic rubber, beneath the surface of which lie 30 motors. By combining the movements of these motors, expressions from laughter to anger can be achieved. Saya is not equipped with artificial intelligence and is currently remotely controlled by humans. In an elementary school classroom, however, "she" was able to smile and have simple conversations with students, while occasionally cautioning students with a stern look. Saya's range of expressions, beyond the capabilities of previous robots, have attracted attention. With the addition of artificial intelligence and other improvements, robots like Saya may be able to provide nursing services or be used in psychological counseling. (July 2009)