I, Robot

How hot is this?

This is the improved model of the Japanese android, "Actroid" (actress-robot), first unveiled in 2003. The Actroid understands 40,000 phrases in each of four languages (Chinese, English, Korean and Japanese) and has nuanced facial expressions to match the more than 2,000 types of answers she can give - but it may refuse to answer some questions for ”privacy reasons,“ making an X with her arms and bowing apologetically.

She's even imbued with a sense of irony; when asked if she is a robot, she answers disconnectedly and with clumsy movements — followed by a "just kidding!" before reverting to smooth humanoid motions.

This version debuted at the International Robot Exhibition in Tokyo, where she/it acted as an exhibition greeter and offered information about the expo to guests.


Jumping onto the scene and trying to outdo their neighbors, Korean scientists have just announced the creation of their own female android, the Ever-1 (Eve + "R"obot).

The Korean Institute for Industrial Technology (KITECH) said the android, which has the face and body of a woman in her 20s, is 160 cm tall and weighs 50 kg. Ever-1 can move its upper body and “express” happiness, anger, sadness and pleasure. But the robot is still incapable of moving its lower half. Ever-1's skin is made from a silicon jelly that feels similar to human skin. The face is a composite of two stars, and its torso on a singer.

The 15 monitors in the robotic face allow it to interpret the face of an interlocutor and look back at whoever stands near it. Ever-1 also recognizes 400 words and can hold a basic verbal exchange.

"The robot can serve to provide information in department stores and museums or read stories to children; it’s capable of both education and entertainment functions," said KITECH scientist Baeg Moon-hong, part of the team that created the robot. "The Ever-2, which will have improved vision and ability to express emotions and can sit or stand, will be debuted towards the end of the year."

Now...I gotta ask. Why did the Koreans concern themselves so much with how the skin feels, hmmm?

And...how long before we start seeing a new version of robotic hentai hit the vids?