WEIRD NEWS OF THE WEEK: This Japanese newsreader is actually a robot!

The news anchor can speak multiple languages and even crack jokes despite being a robot.

By Dave Lancaster |

17:39 25 June 2014

From Trevor McDonald to Jeremy Paxman and even Ron Burgundy, the newsreader is embedded within our culture. They bring us the news of the day and inform us about what matters, helping us digest thousands of headlines via a human touch, but that model of broadcasting could be due for a major shake-up. 

 

This just in: Japanese scientists have created the Kodomoroid - an android that read the news and interact with guests while looking and sounding completely genuine. It can switch languages and vocal tones. 

 

The scientists followed this up with 'female' versions Otonaroid and Telenoid - a mannequin head that serves as a companion to the real deal. 

 

But the design is stunning - the machines have silicon skin and even artificial muscles to grant them a human appearance but were hampered by some dodgy lip-syncing issues at their press conference.

 

They're currently part of a project at the Miraikan science museum in Tokyo but Kodomoroid herself says that she dreams of having her own TV show, which is something that her makers are also pining for. 

 

Hiroshi Ishiguro, an Osaka University professor and robotics expert, is behind the project. Something of an eccentric, his robots are so convincing that according to the Independent he has even sent robotic doubles of himself overseas to give lectures. 

 

He said: “Making androids is about exploring what it means to be human, examining the question of what is emotion, what is awareness, what is thinking.”