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  • TUESDAY MARCH 17 2009 9:19 AM

Signs of the Robot Uprising #47 - Robot Supermodels?

Submitted by thefreak

Edited by nicole_powers

Tags: robots, cybernetics, technology, Japan, modeling, odd news



Those wacky Japanese are at it again with their love of robot women.

The National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology has created a cybernetic cute, code-named HRP-4C, with the goal of seeing her do her little turn on the catwalk, on the catwalk, on the catwalk, yeah.

A new walking, talking robot from Japan has a female face that can smile and has trimmed down to 43 kilograms (95 pounds) to make a debut at a fashion show. But it still hasn't cleared safety standards required to share the catwalk with human models.

...

For now, the 158 centimeter (62.2 inch) tall black-haired robot code-named HRP-4C — whose predecessor had weighed 58 kilograms (128 pounds) — will mainly serve to draw and entertain crowds.


It would appear she (it?) is already on her (its?) way. Just like your stereotypical human supermodel, she's lost a fuckton of weight to gain a competitive edge. No clue if she glosses her teeth with Vaseline, though.

Due to HRP-4C's technological limitations (i.e. she will probably kill any model who stands in her way in a catty, yet precisely calculated fury), she will be kept in her own little section for a March 23rd fashion show in Tokyo.

The robotic framework for the HRP-4C, without the face and other coverings, will go on sale for about 20 million yen ($200,000) each, and its programming technology will be made public so other people can come up with fun moves for the robot, the scientists said. (emphasis added)


Ohh, my. That sound you just heard? That quite, yet steady rumble? That, kids, is the sound of a million sex-starved otaku (and equally deprived Blade Runner fans) creaming their pants at the possibilities.

Japan has cornered the robotics market in recent years, with companies from Mitsubishi to Hello Kitty creator Sanrio taking part. We've seen receptionists, companions, and robots as "performance art."

But demands are growing for socially useful robots, such as ones that can care for the elderly and sick, said Yoshihiro Kaga, a government official in the trade and industry ministry.

"We want this market to grow as an industry," he said.


I see this ending in fire. That's all we need is senior citizens manning psychotic Nurse-Bots. Didn't any of you learn from watching Roujin Z?

For now, it appears HRP-4C will be limited to a menial life as a greeter and curiosity before taking the fashion world by storm. Shuuji Kajita, from AIST's humanoid research group, reassures, however:

"But this is just the first step."


Step 2...robots invading America's Next Top Model? I don't know about you, but the thought of Tyra Banks getting vaporized by a backsassed 'bot would get me to tune in. I'm a fan of Dancing With the Stars, anyway.

AIST website (in English)

YouTube video of HRP-4C in action

thefreak wonders whatever happened to AIBO.

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Comments
mydogfarted

mydogfarted

Oakland, NJ
June 2003

MAR 17, 2009 09:25 AM

It is only a matter of time before some idiot is paying alimony to his robot wife

Ta2dMom

Ta2dMom

Congo
October 2005

MAR 17, 2009 10:23 AM

I have a problem with the "name" of the robot. HRP-4C- makes me thing of the herp and then I think of Paris Hilton and so thusly, I hate this robot.

Seriously though, I see the market for this being dorks with tons of money and no sex life.
To each their own though.

thefreak

thefreak

NEWSWIRE

Gardner, MA

MAR 17, 2009 10:34 AM

Ta2dMom said:
I have a problem with the "name" of the robot. HRP-4C- makes me thing of the herp and then I think of Paris Hilton and so thusly, I hate this robot.

Seriously though, I see the market for this being dorks with tons of money and no sex life.
To each their own though.


In hindsight, I'm rather disappointed @myself I didn't make a herp joke, as I noticed that, too.

-TM

Ta2dMom

Ta2dMom

Congo
October 2005

MAR 17, 2009 11:16 AM

Finally! I finally got one before you!

SPOILERS! (Click to view)
figures it was when I wasn't even trying. damn

Heigai

Heigai

Columbus, OH
May 2004

MAR 17, 2009 11:52 AM

I just bought a nice little cottage in Uncanny Valley.

thefreak

thefreak

NEWSWIRE

Gardner, MA

MAR 17, 2009 12:31 PM

Another video of HRP-4C in action...



-TM

baudot

baudot

Oakland, CA
February 2004

MAR 17, 2009 12:47 PM

Her hips stay completely level through a full stride and she's supposed to be a model?

Heigai

Heigai

Columbus, OH
May 2004

MAR 17, 2009 01:50 PM

Sashay, chantez, scream in horror.

DevilsReject

DevilsReject

Cleveland, OH
February 2007

MAR 17, 2009 02:04 PM

i am rather disappointed that your binary doesn't translate into anything.

thefreak

thefreak

NEWSWIRE

Gardner, MA

MAR 17, 2009 02:31 PM

DevilsReject said:
i am rather disappointed that your binary doesn't translate into anything.


Uhh, it most definitely should. I double-checked it w/4 different online translators and it worked just fine for me.

-TM

FellOnEarth

FellOnEarth

Temecula, CA
April 2006

MAR 17, 2009 02:47 PM

That mechanical monstrosity is a far cry from any Bladerunnder android and it's got zero sex appeal. I stick with flesh and blood and emotions thank you very much. I'm just glad I checked this thread before the inevitable freak-me-out posting of the big dog video...

snidebot

snidebot

Berkeley, CA
October 2005

MAR 17, 2009 02:48 PM

Toku666 said:
I just bought a nice little cottage in Uncanny Valley.



nice.

FellOnEarth

FellOnEarth

Temecula, CA
April 2006

MAR 17, 2009 03:04 PM

FellOnEarth said:
That mechanical monstrosity is a far cry from any Bladerunner android and it's got zero sex appeal. I'll stick with flesh, blood and emotions thank you very much. I'm just glad I checked this thread before the inevitable freak-me-out posting of the big dog video...


Fixed.

baudot

baudot

Oakland, CA
February 2004

MAR 17, 2009 03:08 PM

thefreak said:

DevilsReject said:
i am rather disappointed that your binary doesn't translate into anything.


Uhh, it most definitely should. I double-checked it w/4 different online translators and it worked just fine for me.

-TM


Consider it checked a 5th time. I can read it fine and dandy. It's plain old ASCII binary.

sick

sick

Minneapolis, MN
June 2003

MAR 17, 2009 03:40 PM

FellOnEarth said:

FellOnEarth said:
That mechanical monstrosity is a far cry from any Blade Runner android and it's got zero sex appeal. I'll stick with flesh, blood and emotions thank you very much. I'm just glad I checked this thread before the inevitable freak-me-out posting of the big dog video...


Fixed.



Nah, now it's fixed.

Also, the OP's reference was tricky anyway; there's a question of whether the replicants were organic, mechanical, or a mixture of the two. The film is ambiguous on the subject. And the androids in Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? were certainly part organic.

This thing is purely mechanical.

Yes, I'm certainly nerdy enough to buy one of these. When do they go on the market?

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