Japanese scientists develop humanoid to keep astronauts company

The Telegraph ^ | 12/2/12 | Julian Ryall

[Eye of Unk]

I’m surprised nobody has mention the pleasure units from Blade Runner.

[GeronL]

I think this would be the most popular one in Japan

[Eye of Unk]

If I had to travel in space for two years I would rather be connected to a virtual realty program that would allow my dreams to have substance, sure a physical object would something handy to keep around, sort of like a fancy digital torque wrench from Snapon that interfaces through your Android phone.

[Chode]

never come close to Six...

[Eye of Unk]

If I had to travel in space for two years I would rather be connected to a virtual reality program that would allow my dreams to have substance, sure a physical object would something handy to keep around, sort of like a fancy digital torque wrench from Snapon that interfaces through your Android phone.

[exDemMom]

It will then have the ability to communicate with the astronaut in Japanese and take photographs during their stay on the space station.

Maybe it's just me, but I don't really see the utility in a robot that speaks Japanese.

On a more serious note, I wonder that the Japanese don't seem as affected by the uncanny valley as Westerners. I've always found dolls and mannekins incredibly creepy; when they're animated, the creepiness goes up a few fold. Yet I see Japanese crowding around these ghastly things as if they were as cute and cuddly as little bunnies. How humanlike will this robot be, in the end?

[MIchaelTArchangel]

How long does it take to inflate?

[Kakaze]

The 13-inch android is scheduled to be completed by next summer and will be sent to the orbiting ISS

Is his nick name "Chuckie" ?

[MasterGunner01]

How about an anatomically correct female/male robot for zero G sexcapades? Like the 1973 movie “Westworld” but without the homicidal gunfighter [Yul Brynner] that goes about blowing away the human guests.

[Atlas Sneezed]

DOL 9000

[Eye of Unk]

The Japanese have indeed created sex doll robots of the highest quality, but it will be the Chinese that will duplicate a human, a fish, a snake or a bird. In the quasi reality of Blade Runner the planet will be full of replicants.

And some will desire to be even more human.

Now if I really had my choice I would have a re-programmed Terminatrix from Skynet labs. Change her face, her body, her voice, the possibilities are endless.

[BwanaNdege]

“I’m sorry, Dave...”

[Secret Agent Man]

well there ya go. get it interactive and you’ve got cherry 2000.

[Moonmad27]

My first thought was it would turn out to be Marvin the Paranoid Android, but I’m glad someone on this remembered Quark!

[DTogo]

"help solve social problems through communication".

Very ironic to be coming from a country known for high suicide rates, and bizarre personal behavior such as Hikikomori and Otaku.

[dljordan]

LOL!!!!

[Redcitizen]

Now these models would be great company in space.

[ClearBlueSky]

Wow this became about sex fast! I was thinking C3PO only a little less melodramatic and pessimistic. If the Japanese get around to full sized humanoid `droids` I want one that cooks,drives and does housework.

[AZLiberty]

From an earlier era ...

[Ken H]