Gizmodo: hrp-4c

For a Post-Christmas Treat, Order a Looky-Likey Android From Japan

Kat Hannaford — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 06:46:27 EST

What would you spend $225,000 on? An animated android, styled after yourself? Starting in January the Japanese store Sogo & Seibu will begin taking pre-orders for these "Actroids." They may not walk, but they can move their upper bodies.

Kokoro, the company which brought us those HRP-4C female androids back in 2005, will make these Actroids for Sogo & Seibu. Customers can record audio so the robots not only look like them but also sound like them, and "she also does the best work as a guide with her out-standing eye-catch effect!" Careful you don't fall for her eye-catch effect too hard, now. [Sankei News via PlasticPals and CrunchGear]

Girlbot Sings, Looks Better than Britney Spears

Jesus Diaz — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 09:12:00 EDT

Yes, that's right: The HRP-4C girlbot with Yamaha's Vocaloid voice synth software is way better than Britney Spears. But then again, that's not saying a lot, except that I will never do the Zoltan with Britney. [Network World]

The HRP-4C Model Robot Is Programmed to Work...It

Mark Wilson — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 08:27:56 EDT

The HRP-4C robot was not programmed to please families like Asimo. Nor will she save/destroy humanity like a Terminator. Rather, she's taking the fashion world by storm as Tokyo's next top model. UPDATE VIDEO:

But can a hulking robot be a model?

Even though the HRP-4C packs 42 motors, at just over 5 feet tall and 95 pounds in weight, she's still thin enough to guilt teenage girls everywhere into puking up their lunches. And the manga-inspired face, with a tiny nose and large eyes, should keep the plastic surgery market afloat in even the most dire economic climate.

Unlike modern models, however, the HRP-4C walks down the runway with constantly bent knees and it fully capable of smiling.

In case you are looking for an HRP-4C of your own, a similar model will cost you $3 million. Otherwise, you can check her out again during the Tokyo fashion show on March 23rd. [Straights Times via Engadget and Getty Images]