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Actroid DER2 Late Model Fembot
Actroid DER2 is a fembot (female robot) created by Kokoro, a Sanrio company specializing in the design and manufacture of robots. Actroid DER2 is the new guide robot at the Sanrio headquarters in Tokyo.
Actroid DER2 has a wider range of expressions as well as thinner arms for a more attractive look; both of these are upgrades over last year's model. Other upgrades include improved smoothness of movement
(Actroid DER2)
Actroid DER2's limbs, torso and facial expressions are controlled by actuators powered by pneumatic pressure. She is able to synchronize voice, gestures and facial expressions.
I know what you want to know: When can I get the upgraded model and how much does it cost? Right away - and $3,500 per five days (plus assorted programming charges) will do it. Don't get too attached, though - there's a late fee of about $675 per day.
Science fiction writers have long warned about attachments to fembots. Consider the case of the mechanical bride, from Fritz Lieber's 1954 eponymous story:
Streamlined, smooth-working, absolutely noiseless, breath-takingly realistic. Each one is powered by thirty-seven midget electric motors, all completely noiseless, and is controlled by instructions, recorded on magnetic tape... The de luxe model is built to your specifications, has fifty different facial expressions...
(Read more about the mechanical bride)
Via PinkTentacle.
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 12/27/2006)
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