The Yotaro baby simulator is a new kind of interactive robot that is used to teach people about childcare and parenting.
This is nothing new, as there are small baby-simulator dolls available to do this to prospective parents already. However, the Yotaro comes with an interactive screen that doubles as a face.
Yotaro was the fruit of research done by the University of Tsukuba in Japan. It can portray various facial expressions, movements, and physiological traits that are associated with babies. Yotaro reacts with an emotion-control system that uses sensors to create appropriate responses.
Would you believe that it can cry? Imagination is needed to see its unusual form factor and stylized face as a baby. I think it’s kind of cool. I’ve never seen a robot like this.
[via Designboom]
