Hoorej for Synthetiks
typed for your pleasure on 5 October 2006, at 5.01 pmSdtrk: ‘Perdoa’ by Vanusa
So I’m sure by now everyone and their gran knows about Actroid-chan’s appearance at the Wired Nextfest, right? Yes, yes. But then, Pink Tentacle mentions today that a new, improved version has been assembled. Sweet slow-roasted christ, she’s even cuter the previous model, if that’s even physically possible.
‘No, I was never in Morning musume, although they did ask me once’
Actroid DER2 fembot loves Hello Kitty
Kokoro, a Sanrio Group company specializing in the design and manufacture of robots, unveiled its new Actroid DER2 feminine guide robot at Sanrio headquarters in Tokyo on October 4.Actroid DER2 is an upgraded version of Kokoro’s previous fembot, Actroid DER, who has made quite a name for herself by providing services at a number of events, including the 2005 World Expo. Compared to the previous model, DER2 has thinner arms and a wider repertoire of expressions. The smoothness of her movement has also been improved, making it now even more likely for the uninitiated to confuse her with an actual human being. (emphasis mine)
Actroid’s limbs, torso and facial expressions are controlled by a system of actuators powered by pneumatic pressure. Once programmed, she is able to choreograph her motions and gestures with her voice.
Kokoro intends to rent Actroid DER2 to companies and events. The basic rental fee is expected to be 400,000 yen (US $3,500) for 5 days, plus extra fees for technical support, delivery and choreography changes. For those who can’t cope with a sayonara after 5 days, there is a late fee of 80,000 yen per day.
[Source: Fuji Sankei]
That statement I’d emphasised is extraordinarily encouraging — her movements are even closer to Organiks. That’s the benefits of an upgrade for you. Will we actually see Androids and Gynoids in society within the next decade or two? I’d say ‘I certainly hope so,’ but you’d expect me to say that. In the interim, MUST. FIND. VIDEOS. NOW.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go register myself as a company, and scrape up $3500. I’ve, err, gotta buy some gum, you see — I like to stock up
ADDENDUM (9.14pm): Pics and video clips found, courtesy of Robot Watch. My goodness, she’s definitely got Cuteness Appeal, no question
Technorati tags: Actroid, Repliee, Gynoid, Android, Wired Nextfest, Sanrio
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October 10th, 2006 at 10.41 am
I really like this one’s face better than the original. Nice!
October 10th, 2006 at 11.39 pm
She’s younger! She looks like a 19-year old that would be seen wearing a Hello Kitty shirt whilst shopping in Shinjuku for some Hikaru Utada Cds.
I like both versions, but that’s a given.
October 11th, 2006 at 12.08 pm
I didn’t notice the age as much as the facial features. More lifelike and pleasant.