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CNN Live At Daybreak

Japan Holds Second Annual Robot Convention

Aired April 04, 2002 - 05:53   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: A robot revolution may be taking shape. Some high-tech robots have been created that can cuddle -- cuddle, communicate and even shake their booty. Robots have booties, don't they?

Our Rebecca MacKinnon gives us a look.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

REBECCA MACKINNON, CNN TOKYO BUREAU CHIEF (voice-over): Move over Madonna? Maybe not quite yet. These new entertainment robots made by Sony aren't about to win a Grammy, but they are talented. Aside from sing and dance, they can recognize human faces and names.

This is ASIMO, Honda's latest pride and joy. It moves with greater flexibility and spontaneity than any other robot on earth. It also learns. One museum already uses it as a tour guide.

These robots are part of Japan's second ever robot expo, Robodex. It's goal: to show off Japan's latest robotics innovations and encourage engineers to share ideas.

Some robots now under development in Japan are meant to save lives. This one detects land mines. Still, others mimic humans -- this one with facial expressions. This one recognizes and follows different colored objects.

Yet another has been taught to play the flute, with special sensitivity in its robotic lips, tongue and fingertips. Many speak at least some Japanese.

(on camera): Konichiwa.

ROBOT: Konichiwa.

MACKINNON: Robots may not yet take over our jobs -- at least in our lifetime -- but they are likely to enhance our lives both at home and at work in ways we still can't predict. And Japan wants to be at the forefront of the robot revolution.

(voice-over): A healing robot made to look like a baby seal is already used for therapy with senior citizens and in pediatric wards in Japan. It responds to human touch. Like a real pet, it has been clinically proven to reduce stress without the hygiene issues of real animals.

Robot expo organizers hope to inspire a new generation of robot inventors.

"I'd like to create a robot that can communicate with human beings in a warm way," says this university student. "I think robots will change human culture. It will be like coexisting with beings from another planet."

(on camera): Konichiwa.

(voice-over): First those beings had better learn to understand "Hello" when spoken in a foreign accent.

(on camera): Fine, be that way.

(voice-over): Rebecca MacKinnon, CNN, Tokyo.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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