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These three combo photos show a 'cybernetic human' HRP-4C, designed to look like an average Japanese woman, creating expressions like anger, left, and surprise, right, during a demonstration in Tsukuba, near Tokyo, Monday, March 16, 2009. The humanoid robot having a female face and black hair trimmed down to 43 kilograms (95 pounds) to make a debut at a fashion show later in the month.
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A new walking, talking robot from Japan has a female face that can smile and has trimmed down to 43 kilograms (95 pounds) to make a debut at a fashion show. But it still hasn't cleared safety standards required to share the catwalk with human models.
Developers at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, a government-backed organization, said their "cybernetic human," shown Monday, wasn't ready to help with daily chores or work side by side with people — as many hope robots will be able to do in the future.
"Technologically, it hasn't reached that level," said Hirohisa Hirukawa, one of the robot's developers. "Even as a fashion model, people in the industry told us she was short and had a rather ordinary figure."
For now, the 158 centimeter (62.2 inch) tall black-haired robot code-named HRP-4C — whose predecessor had weighed 58 kilograms (128 pounds) — will mainly serve to draw and entertain crowds.
Developers said the robot may be used in amusement parks or to perform simulations of human movement, as an exercise instructor, for instance.
HRP-4C was designed to look like an average Japanese woman, although its silver-and-black body recalls a space suit. It will appear in a Tokyo fashion show — without any clothes — in a special section just for the robot next week.
The robotic framework for the HRP-4C, without the face and other coverings, will go on sale for about 20 million yen ($200,000) each, and its programming technology will be made public so other people can come up with fun moves for the robot, the scientists said.
Japan boasts one of the leading robotics industries in the world, and the government is pushing to develop the industry as a road to growth.
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(Agencies)
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日本新研制的一款会行走、会说话并且会微笑的高仿真女机器人将首度亮相时装秀。为参加时装秀，它的体重已减至43公斤（合95磅），但仍未达到可以与模特同登T台的安全标准。
由日本政府资助的国家高级产业科技研究院的研发人员称，于本周一展示的这款“可控制机器人”还不能像很多人希望的那样帮忙做家务或与人一起工作。
研发人员比留川博久说：“从技术上来讲，还没达到那么高的水平。业内人士告诉我们，即使作为时装模特，她的身高也不够，身材也很一般。”
目前这款编号为HRP-4C、身高158厘米（62.2英寸）的黑头发机器人将主要用于吸引和娱乐观众。先前的同一款机器人体重达58公斤（128磅）。
研发人员称，这款机器人可以用于游乐园，或者让它来模仿人的活动，例如做健身教练。
HRP-4C机器人的造型看上去就是一个普通的日本女性，不过其银黑相间的身体会让人想到航天服。它将于下周亮相东京时装秀的机器人展示环节——不过不会穿任何时装。
科学家称，除去面部和其它覆盖物，HRP-4C机器人的主体结构将以约两千万日圆（20万美元）出售，此外，研发人员还将公布其编程技术，以便人们编写新程序，让它做出其它有趣的动作。
日本是全世界机器人工业最发达的国家之一，日本政府大力发展机器人产业，以促进经济增长。
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（实习生许雅宁 英语点津姗姗编辑）
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