Japanese scientists made child-like Robot, can 'feel pain'

News of creating human-like robots is around the world. In addition to this hot invention, Japanese roboticists have developed a 'Child-Robot' that can feel pain. This might seem like a creepy and cruel gift to a robot that can feel pain. However, It may allow you to see this in a positive way that robots could be emotional like a human to express their feelings. Researchers say it could help robots understand and empathize with their human companions.

Scientists from Osaka University have developed a synthetic skin that contains sensors to subtly detect changes in pressure, whether it is a light touch or a hard punch. This artificial 'pain nervous system' was then hooked up with a life-like robot child. The android robot child was able to react to the sensation using a variety of facial expressions.

Minoru Asada presented the work of the research team on February 15, at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Seattle, USA.

Affetto, the robot child was first revealed by Osaka University in 2011. At that time, it was just a realistic head capable of yanking a few varieties of expressions, such as smiling and frowning. This was made possible through a soft skin-like material sheathing the robot that moved using 116 different facial points. This latest project has given the child robot a body, covered-skeleton with artificial skin that embraced in the new tactile sensor.

This might sound like a castle in the air but it is not as far out as it might seem. The long-time pipedream is to make more realistic 'social robots' that will be able to have deeper interaction with a live person. Japan has already rolled out robots in nursing homes, offices and schools as a way to deal with its aging populations and shrinking workforce. Some states in the United States have also been experimenting with using real-life Robocop to patrol the streets that often give mixed results.

The theory behind creating robots that are more advanced was to make something that will be able to communicate with humans more authentically and effectively if they give the impression of feeling like a human. However, speaking to Science News, Antonio Damasio, a neuroscientist at the University of Southern California, was quick to point out that this is 'not the same thing' as an actual computing robot or the robot, which can experience some kind of internal emotions. So, if young Affetto is gazing at you with puppy dog eyes and sad frown, do not feel too bad.