Video: Cybernetic Human Robot HRP-4C Can Now "Sing" Better

Serkan Toto

Dr. Serkan Toto is an independent consultant and advisor focusing on Japan’s web, mobile and social gaming industries. Based in Tokyo, he works together with financial institutions and startups worldwide. Serkan has been the Japan contributor for TechCrunch.com since 2008. He is sept-lingual, holds an MBA and is a PhD in economics. → Learn More

Thursday, October 14th, 2010

Do you remember the HRP-4c, one of the most realistic humanoids out there? Made by Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, the fembot was so far mostly known as a pretty creepy cyber-model and bridezilla. In December last year, we’ve shown you a video of her trying to sing – and now she’s gotten better at that.

That’s my impression, at least. It’s not that she’s any threat to Alicia Keys or anything at this point, and her body is still stiff while singing, but AIST’s self-developed synthesizer software VocalListener and facial expression technology VocaWatcher helped her boost her musical skills. Give this another 5-10 years.

Here’s the newest video of HRP-4C singing (shot by Diginfonews in Tokyo):

For comparison, here’s the video from last year again:

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