We typically associate Valentine's Day with flowers and chocolate, but this year, department store customers in Japan are receiving a warm welcome from a human-like robot.


2 Comments

Add Comment
View
  1. 1. EyesWideOpen 04:18 PM 2/13/12

    Almost there, but anything less than natural and "real" looking is but a morbid side-show curiosity.

    Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this
  2. 2. leaf6 07:35 PM 2/14/12

    I wouldn't say almost. Programming something to be as complex as a human is going to be the biggest hurdle; the things humans can do are innumerable. There are already humanoid robots that can climb stairs, play instruments, and play table tennis--they're basically one trick ponies yet look the work needed to construct one of them. I would love to see a robot that can deliver a cup of coffee to you.

    Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this
Leave this field empty

Add a Comment

You must sign in or register as a ScientificAmerican.com member to submit a comment.
Click one of the buttons below to register using an existing Social Account.

More from Scientific American

See what we're tweeting about

Scientific American Editors

More »

Free Newsletters


Get the best from Scientific American in your inbox

Solve Innovation Challenges

Powered By: Innocentive

  SA Digital
  SA Digital

Science Jobs of the Week

Email this Article

X
Scientific American Mind

Subscribe Today

Save 66% off the cover price and get a free gift!

Learn More >>

X

Please Log In

Forgot: Password

X

Account Linking

Welcome, . Do you have an existing ScientificAmerican.com account?

Yes, please link my existing account with for quick, secure access.



Forgot Password?

No, I would like to create a new account with my profile information.

Create Account
X

Report Abuse

Are you sure?

X

Institutional Access

It has been identified that the institution you are trying to access this article from has institutional site license access to Scientific American on nature.com. To access this article in its entirety through site license access, click below.

Site license access
X

Error

X

Share this Article

X