万花筒2008-01-02:Reuters Tech Week: Robots! 机器人大赏（在线收听）

Some of the weirdest, most memorable technology this year came in the form of robots, and of course -- mostly from Japan

Some of the weirdest, most memorable technology this year came in the form of robots, and of course they came mostly from Japan. So we are dedicating our best of the Reuters' Technology Show 2007 to the Roboto. I'm Niel Sumerodi

Let's start with the Meiji University's face-Robot named Kansei. He frowns when he hears words like BOMB. He can express happiness, sadness, anger and surprise when given an English word. A software program that uses an on-line database of half a million words determines the most appropriate expression. For example, when Kansei hears the word "president", he associates it with other words like Bush, war and Iraq, and he scrunches his faces up in fear and disgust.

Now meet Geminoid, he actually is the offspring of Professor Hiroshi Ishiguro and has the professor's brains and obviously his looks. The professor crafted his android twin by molding a figure based on his own body even implanting his own hair. I don't find any particular difference in talking via Geminoid or by my own voice. Curiously when Geminoid is touched by someone, I have very similar feelings of being touched although it's not quite the same.

Over 50 sensors are in Geminoid's face alone, while motors and an air-compressor create the virtual reality of breathing. The idea is a Robot like Geminoid can eventually help care for Japan's growing elderly population.

But there's also a robot for Japanese youngen, Child Robot with bio-mimetic body or CB2 is a very big baby. He reacts via 197 sensors, eye cameras and a vocal cord that simulates toddler noises. Creators at Osaka University say CB2 will help them take baby steps towards understanding child development, with touch sensitivity and expressions matching actual reactions.

And from babies to the barnyard, the Yume Hiyoko or Dream Chick won't grow up to lay eggs or become dinner but chicken lovers can see it has advantages, no need to feed it or clean up after Yume Hiyoko. Japanese toy company Sega developed the dream chick as a go-anywhere virtual pet. Sega's line of Robotic pets also includes dogs and cats.

That's it for Reuter's Technology Show for 2007. Thank you (in Japanese) See you in 08.