Robotic Children: Would you adopt one?

A child-sized android with flexible joints and soft skin developed by the Japan Science and Technology Agency was unveiled Friday at Osaka University, where the agency’s research and development team is based.

The 1.3-meter-tall, 33 kilogram humanoid robot has optical, auditory and tactile sensors. Fifty-one actuators inside its body run on compressed air and enable the robot to make complex movements smoothly.

cb201 Robotic Children: Would you adopt one? picture

About 200 tactile sensors are embedded in the robot’s gray skin, which is made of silicon and other materials. The robot can react to its surroundings by blinking and altering its facial expressions.

The robot, which has the physical ability of a 1- or 2-year-old toddler, can turn over and stand up with assistance.

At the news conference Friday, the humanoid moved its hands and feet and turned its eyes.

Its name is CB2, an abbreviation of Child-Robot with Biomimetic Body. Check out these videos of the CB2 in action:

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5 Comments »

Comment by Sam
2007-06-11 13:31:19

Wow I want one as a companion for my 2 year old son!

 
Comment by Qi
2007-06-19 14:58:12

if they’ll be as cute as chii or sumomo, i would!!! lol

 
Comment by Cent changes coins
2007-07-25 05:06:37

I dunno they look abit creepy…

 
Comment by scrooge
2007-11-10 10:08:32

they look alot like cherubs. There’s no way im getting one of those. Imagine if it activates and creeps into your bedroom at night…

 
Comment by luckylife333
2008-04-19 15:33:12

They scare me… besides,im still a kid…Phew!

 
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