Disturbing yet Endearing: Affetto the robot head

Affeto. © Osaka University.

A trio at Osaka University has been working on an android head-and-face since 2011. They’re making progress. By deforming 116 micropoints of its facial anatomy, they can raise its eyelids, pucker a lip, or release all features of the face. It explores more nuanced expressions, ranging from quizzical, to thoughtful, to pondering, to sly, to relaxed and alert. It doesn’t utter a sound, so watching it is oddly meditative. If all children were this quiet, I might have one. Until then, a robot head will do.

⇨ Osaka University, « Researchers in Japan Make Android Child’s Face Strikingly More Expressive. »

⇨ TechCrunch, “Affetto is the wild-boy-head robot of your nightmares.”