Oh, Japan. Leave it to you guys to advance technology in fascinating and mildly creepy ways. Whenever commercial androids become a thing, Japan’ll be the first ones on the scene.
Osaka University professor Hiroshi Ishiguro has developed and built a fully mobile android child. With a face resembling a prepubescent boy, the android, Ibuki, can move entirely under its own power. Not only that, it can talk, and even share its current feelings on a situation. Assistant Professor Yoshihiro Nakata believes one element that sets Ibuki apart from other androids is its quick movements.
Ibuki can track objects and people with its eyes, and can move itself to follow. Professor Ishiguro claims that Ibuki is a prototype of an android designed to live among and with humanity. He wants to create a machine that we can truly share our emotions with.
Personally, I’m totally down for having a robot for a best friend. I do prefer that they be cute and boxy instead of resembling humans, though. I’m not sure I could be friends with something from so far into the uncanny valley.
