A robot…designed to look like a pretty girl. (!!!)
Cybernetic Human HRP-4C is a “fashion-bot” that will soon be strolling the catwalk in Tokyo. She’s been programmed to emulate 42 different “fashion model movements,*” and although she’s designed to look more or less like an average Japanese woman, her creators gave her slightly larger-than-normal eyes and a tiny nose. They claim that the manga-inspired looks are to avoid the uncanny valley of a more faithfully-rendered human face.
Uh-huh.
The robot “has been developed mainly for use in the entertainment industry,” and although she’s not for sale yet her eventual price tag will be around $200,000. Fanboys who want an interactive anime character of their own should start saving up now.
Here’s video of the thing in action.
*No word on whether sticking her finger down her throat is one of them.