Gear

5 Robots That Can Get Their Groove On

Today, we focus on bots that have one thing in common: These guys can dance.
  • HRP4C Dancing
  • Sarcos Robot Dancing
  • Lightsaber Choreography
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hrp-4c-dancing
In case you haven't heard, Rebecca Black pulled her "Friday" video from YouTube this week. Now what are we going to be "so excited" about? Over here at Gadget Lab, we're so excited about robots. We've seen robots that can crawl and walk, ones that can climb walls using electroadhesive film, and some that are a bit less talented, but just look darn good. Today, we focus on bots that have one thing in common: These guys can dance. Check out everything from the HRP-4C's uncanny valley-straddling popstar-style moves (above), to the cute, cheerful bouncing of the squishy yellow Keepon. I wonder how long we're going to have to wait for a Saturday Night Fever cast entirely with robots. I give it two years. Above:

Pop Sensation HRP-4C

HRP-4C is half fembot, half stormtrooper, and all talent. Over 30 motors in HRP-4C's humanoid form allow her 5-foot, 2-inch frame to move like a human. She was developed by the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology in Japan. The video above is from the 2010 Digital Content Expo, which took place in October. Her voice is that of Kaori Mochida, a Japanese pop star, after being run through AIST's synthesizer software called VocalListener. Her most recent escapade, below, is performing at Yamaha Motors' booth at the 2011 Jisso Protec show. Maybe we'll get to see her stateside at CES 2012. I can only hope. http://www.youtube.com/embed/fqsAz-s4kjQ