Nerdy Science Blog

Actroid is a humanoid robot which closely resembles humans in physical appearance. It is developed by Osaka University and manufactured by Kokoro and Advanced Media. Actroid has strong visual human-likeness with limbs, torso and even facial expressions. These are controlled by a system of actuators powered by pneumatic pressure mechanisms. Once programmed, she is able to strategize her motions and gestures with her voice. It can mimic many lifelike functions like blinking, smiling, speaking, breathing etc. This stylish robot has thin arms and a wider range of expressions. With smooth walking ability, it can easily be confused for an actual woman. This good looking robot can understand 40,000 phrases in four different languages. The skin appears extremely realistic and is composed of silicone. Robot’s servo motors and most of the computer hardware units are powered externally. With firm support this humanoid can either sit or stand. Actroid’s can communicate by speaking with humans on an elementary level. These have in built microphones which record the speech of a human, this sound is then filtered and background or external noise is removed. Speech recognition software has been incorporated which then converts the stream of audio signals into words and sentences. This can then be processed by the Actroid’s processor. Response is given through speakers attached to the external to the unit. Interactivity is also enhanced through non-verbal methods. Actroids use directional vision sensors to maintain eye contact with the speaker. To a rudimentary level the robots can respond to body language and tone of voice and change their own facial expressions, tone etc according to the situation. This robot can even learn human like motions from different people if they appear before it with reflecting dots attached to their bodies in key positions. With its visual system this robot tracks these dots and makes its joint and limb movements to match with it, thus learns the motions. It also imitates human-like behavior such as the acts leaning, tilting head, breathing etc. Human-like presence of these robots is so effective that in the future these can be used it to teach in classes. Another glorious fact is that she can also perform rap music.

Drinking may not be as bad as many people say it is.  According to a Japanese examination, light to moderate drinking with high socialization can actually help to lower the risk of ischemic stroke and coronary heart disease.

The examination studied the effect of social activity on drinking and risk of cardiovascular disease.  The study involved 19,356 men aged 40- to 69-year-old who enrolled in Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Study.  The alcohol consumption was separated into seven categories, which are never, past, occasional, 1-149, 150-299, 300-449, > 450 grams/week.  Study showed that people with more social activity and less-to-moderate drinking behaviour had reduced risk of total stroke, ischemic stroke and total cardiovascular disease.  Takeshi Tanigawa, a professor in the department of public health at Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, suggested that low social support leads to mental stress, and mental stress activates neuro-endocrine components that will eventually increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

The study will be published in June issue of Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research.  So when you go out for a drink with people, try to drink with those people who don’t stress you.  The less you drink the better health you will have.

(Image Credit: CartoonStock)