Japanese Robots 

In Western culture, robots are often viewed with suspicion.  We are happy to have robot arms assemble our cars, but any fictional humanoid robot will invariably become evil and try to kill everyone.

                                a Western Robot                                  a Japanese Robot

The Japanese take a different approach.  The Japanese public, business community and government have embraced robots as a way to deal with the country's looming demographic problems.  Japan has a low birth rate, aging population, and strictly limits immigration. Robots are expected to help care for the elderly and work in unwanted, unskilled jobs.

Japan's current enthusiasm for robotics may have grown out of the karakuri ningyo tradition of the 18th and 19th centuries.  Karakuri were mechanical puppets or dolls that were used in theater, religious festivals, and in private homes.  The puppets used adapted western clockwork technology.  The inner workings of the puppets were deliberately concealed so that the dolls would evoke emotions and a sense of mystery. The Shinto belief that spirits may inhabit both animate and inanimate objects may help explain why the Japanese are so ready to accept robots as a part of their society. Karakuri puppets were traditionally not thrown away, but were buried in a cemetary.

This is a tea serving karakuri.  It moves towards the guest, then waits after the tea is removed. 

When the tea is replaced, the machine turns around and heads back.

Today, several Japanese companies have produced commerically available robots of varying cuteness and practicality. 

Here is a sample:

Mitsubishi's Wakamaru.  Talks, gives directions, reminds people to take their meds. 

Includes built in webcam and cell phone.  Only $8,300.

Honda's Asimo.  It can walk, run, climb up and down stairs, and serve coffee.

Will recharge its own batteries and avoid collisions with people.  Yours to rent for $166,000/year.

Toyota's one can play the violin. 

Toyota plans to make robotics a core area of their buisness.

This one is strictly for cuddling. 

Paro, the seal robot,  is intended to help relieve stress in hospital patients.

The Repliee can talk to people.

This exoskeleton restricts fast movement, but allows the wearer to lift over twice as much. 

It actually picks up neuron activity and moves naturally with the arms and legs.

The Ifbot is designed to comfort the elderly. 

It can talk at the level of a 5 year old.  Also sings!

Links

Economist article on Japanese Robotics

A company that makes androids

by Aaron Jarrett