Germinoid is a humanoid robot designed in his creator's image, down to the tiniest of details. It sits on a chair and gazes around the room in a very human-like fashion, just like its creator. The skin tone, the spectacles, and even the lengthy hairs on its head are the same as on Ishiguro, a senior researcher at ATR Intelligent Robotics and Communication Laboratories outside Kyoto. Implanted beneath Geminoid's skin are 50 sensors and motors that can be controlled by simple movements Dr Ishiguro makes. He can see through its 'eyes', talk through its internal speaker and shrug or scowl if prodded and poked. Compressed air forced through its body make Geminoid's chest rise and fall as if breathing.
"At first, you may feel strange about the android," said Dr Ishiguro. "However, once you are drawn into a conversation, you will forget every difference and feel totally comfortable to speak with it and look it in the eyes."
The development of humanoid robots has been hampered by what some roboticists call the "uncanny valley". This describes a common feeling of revulsion people feel towards a robot that has some human characteristics, but is not yet human-looking enough to make people feel comfortable. As technology improves to make humanoid robots more lifelike, roboticists expect them to become more acceptable.
The close similarity between Dr Ishiguro and his robotic replica has caused some curious psychological effects, he said. "When the body of Geminoid is touched by somebody, I get very similar feelings of being touched," he said.
This week, British roboticists attacked a report commissioned by the government's chief science adviser, David King, which suggests the robots will one day have rights. The report claimed that advances in artificial intelligence might lead future machines to demand rights and the opportunity to vote. Scientists dismissed the report as poorly founded and a diversion from more pressing concerns, such as autonomous robots being developed and equipped with weapons.
Dr Ishiguro's previous work has involved developing video systems to analyse human behaviour, a technique that could help identify people who are planning to commit crimes. His team tested a network of cameras on a Kyoto underground station.
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OPINION: You can guarantee the android technology in the hidden underground research labs is far more advanced than this. It is frightening to comprehend just what has been created if this is the level of advancement which is now being 'admitted to' in the public arena. It is a certainty that android artificial technology is already on the streets of many of the major cities. But we will not be told about it. The artificial technology will not be detectable to the 'unsuspecting'.
