Japan Makes a Realistic Robot

Japanese scientists have unveiled a female humanoid that can walk, move her arms and show facial expressions such as anger and surprise, the BBC reports.

The "cybernetic human," named HRP-4C, was shown to reporters in Tsukuba City, northeast of Tokyo. The robot, which will sell for $200,000, also will make a special appearance in a Tokyo fashion show.

Developers at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology say the robot may be used in public events to attract attention or simulate human movement, such as an exercise instructor, but is not advanced enough to do housework or other such chores, the Press Association reports.

"Even as a fashion model, people in the industry told us she was short and had a rather ordinary figure," says Hirohisa Hirukasa, one of the developers.