A team of researchers at Japan’s Tsukuba University is working on a robot that’s supposed to improve the interaction between man and machine in the future. The aim is to make the so-called “TalkTorque 2” [JP] a master in non-verbal communication with humans – even though it looks a little creepy.
TalkTorque 2 is supposed to serve as a guide in museums and other places by moving certain parts of his body like a human, namely his head, arms and waist.
The robot is equipped with a laser range finder and a total of 3 cameras (pictured above) through which he’s able to identify returning visitors.
This video shows the former model, TalkTorque, performing gesture tests:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mkA-TOhwqs&w=640&h=390]
Via Plastic Pals