ChihiraAico, Toshiba's scarily realistic 'Robot Hostess' Android unveiled at CES 2015

This might be the next big step in elderly care!

If you don't like artificial intelligence, you might want to look away now. Electronics manufacturer Toshiba is currently showing off a new android robot at CES in Las Vegas that looks, talks, sings and cries like a Japanese woman, and it's just a bit creepy.

ChihiraAico is a humanoid robot made to look like a 32-year-old Japanese hostess. She is a prototype the company is developing to help create "effective communication between humans and non-humans".

The first prototype of the robot was showcased in October at CEATEC Japan 2014, a Japanese trade show, and at the time, the Android could only communicate in simple Japanese sign language.

But now the souped-up version is able to introduce herself in English and gesture like a human.

"We chose a very realistic appearance and movement, which can be used for the service industry. We plan to extend our technology to an automatic response," said Hitoshi Tokuda, manager of marketing for Toshiba's business development division.

"We plan to use [ChihiraAico] with elderly people who have conditions such as dementia and she can be connected to a counsellor or doctor", said Hitoshi Tokuda

Design Specs

ChihiraAico, seen in Figure 90, is a communication android developed by Toshiba.

Their intent with this human-like female robot was to develop a more human user interface.

Since she can understand question and formulate answers providing useful information it is an ideal UI for the entertainment, service and healthcare industry.

The realistic visage combined with lifelike facial expressions, powered by 15 actuators, makes this robot ideal for indicating with people.

This robot 109 can understand and speak in sign language, since she can talk, and sing makes it the ideal companion for elderly people.