Remote-control Teacher
A new robot made in Japan is giving new meaning to the idea of a "ghost" in the shell.
The Telenoid R1, which debuted in Osaka this week, is a minimalist humanoid robot controlled remotely via a computer-mounted camera. The Telenoid can move its head and wiggle its arms using motors in its ghostly body. Above, the robot relays a teacher's head movements and voice to a young girl during a demonstration.
Osaka University professor Hiroshi Ishiguro designed the robot to be a low-cost surrogate for teachers and social workers, allowing for remote interactions while creating the impression of a person in the room.
—Tim Hornyak
Pictures: "Ghost" Robot Lets User Cuddle, Chat Remotely
Part phone, part ventriloquist's dummy, the Telenoid R1 robot can stand in for distant relatives, friends, or teachers, its creators say.
