Feature: Human or Robot? You be the Judge

Researchers are getting closer to developing a robot that looks, talks, and acts like its human counterpart. We’ve selected a few robots that could almost pass for a human.

Repliee Q1Expo

Japanese scientists have developed a life-like female android called “Repliee Q1Expo”. The Q1Expo has “42 actuators in her upper body, powered by a nearby air compressor, programmed to allow her to move like a human.”

She can flutter her eyelids and move her hands like a human. She even appears to breathe. Repliee Q1 has skin made from a silicon substance has 11 piezoelectric sensors embedded in it to detect if someone is touching her

[Source 1 – 2]

EveR-1

Korean scientists have developed the world’s first female android, the EveR-1, which stands 1.6m tall and weighs approx. 110 pounds. It’s capable of understanding 400 words, speaking, and making facial expressions via fifteen motors embedded into her silicon face.

For now, EveR-1 can be employed as a guide robot at museums and department stores or as an educational model to read books to children,” Baeg said. But we are looking further ahead _ we are working on upgrading the android with the aim of making it move its legs by the end of this year. It will be able to sit down and stand up by then,” he expects.

[Source 1 – Source 2]

Actroid DER2

This followup to the Actroid DER, builds upon the first version and adds “more facial expressions”. The bot is controlled by a “system of actuators powered by pneumatic pressure.” One drawback, you’ll have to shell out $3500 to rent Actroid DER2 for 5-days.

She can coordinate her motions with her voice using pneumatic pressure actuators, and is generally a pretty good substitute for flesh-based Wal-Mart greeters

[Source]