Robot Model Debuts at Tokyo Fashion Week

Uh oh…a model who doesn’t need two grapes a day to survive? From The Daily Telegraph:

She may be able to flash a smile, lower her eyelids and sashay along a catwalk unflustered by the crowds of camera-toting photographers. But this is no ordinary supermodel.

Her silver and black frame may have been significantly less stylish than the more fashionable ensembles being displayed by real life models throughout the event.

However, the £1.37m HRP-4C humanoid was able to imitate the expressions, gait and poses of a supermodel due to battery-powered motors in her body and face.

Measuring a slightly short 5 ft 2 inches and weighing a model like 43 kg, the features of the robot were modelled on the wide-eyed characters popular in Japanese “anime” cartoons.

However, despite her apparent physical perfections, its creators at National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) admitted that it had a long way to go before it would rival real life models.

“Our robot can’t move elegantly like the real models that are here today,” said Shuji Kajita, director of humanoid robot engineering AIST.

“It will take another 20 to 30 years of research to make that happen.”

20-30 years to get a decent strut? Yeesh. I don’t think Gisele or Agyness have anything to worry about (other than, you know, the latest throng of 15 year olds from the Siberian Steppes).