London - When scientists set out to create a figure that looked human but was actually a robot they apparently didn’t have Sarah Palin in mind.
But, coincidentally or not, their android does bear an uncanny resemblance to the former Governor of Alaska.
The robot called Yangyang, which can smile, speak, move its head and shake hands, was unveiled on Wednesday at a conference in Beijing.
Tiny motors beneath its rubbery skin enable it to convey a wide range of facial expressions, and it can raise its hands to greet people.
Yangyang was produced by Chinese scientists and Japanese professor Hiroshi Ishiguro who has created some of the world’s most eerily lifelike androids. It is hoped such robots could one day be used as hotel receptionists, or to care for the elderly.
At another conference, in Hong Kong, US-based Hanson Robotics unveiled a machine called Han that uses cameras on its eyes and chest to recognise people’s gender, age and whether they are happy or sad, and react accordingly.
Daily Mail