Japan scientists unveil news-reading robots

The anchors that front your news bulletins could soon well be replaced, as Japanese scientists unveil what they claim to be the world's first news-reading robots.

In a demonstration at a Tokyo museum on Tuesday, two human androids displayed their ability to speak with ease by delivering the news to a room of reporters.

The remote controlled machines have silicon skin and artificial muscles, and are able to move their eyebrows, blink and sway their heads.

The female teen-like robot, known as Kodomoroid - an amalgamation of the words "Kodomo" (child) and android - read the news without stumbling.

While the adult robot, Otonaroid – coming from the Japanese word "Otona" (adult) - admitted to being "a little bit nervous".

The life-like machines recite text that is input into the machines, but Tuesday's unveiling wasn't without a few faults.

"There were some glitches - such as the lips not moving at all while the robot spoke, or the Otonaroid announcer robot staying silent twice when asked to introduce itself," the Associated Press reported.

The two life-size robots will begin to interact with visitors at the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation in Tokyo.

Japanese robotics expert Hiroshi Ishiguro says the robots will be useful in defining what differentiates the person from the machine.

"Making androids is about exploring what it means to be human, examining the question of what is emotion, what is awareness, what is thinking," he told reporters.

Source: Headlines and Global News
Author: Amy Huynh, Approving editor: Nick Pearson