Toshiba's Humanoid Retail Robot, "Aiko Shihira", is Ready to Greet You

If you Happen to be Shopping in Japan Sometime Soon, Don't be Surprised if the 1st Offer of Help Comes from a Machine. Toshiba has just Installed, "Aiko Chihira", a Humanoid Greeter Robot, at Tokyo's Mitsukoshi Department Store. The Kimono-Clad Automaton will Guide you Around the Shop while it Blinks and Smiles -- at Once Helpful and, as you Can See Below, a Little Creepy. It Can't Respond to Questions Yet (Don't Yell at it Over a Faulty Product) but, it's Capable of Handling Both Spoken and Signed Languages. No, "Aiko" Isn't as Interactive or Relentlessly Adorable as SoftBank's Pepper but, it'll be a Big Time-Saver if it Prevents you from Getting Lost in the Aisles.




Info Sources:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/04/20/us-japan-robot-store-idUSKBN0NB1OZ20150420?feedType=RSS&feedName=technologyNews

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