Korea has developed an “android” robot capable of facial expressions on its humanoid face, Korea’s Chosun Ilbo newspaper reported earlier this month. It’s the second such machine to be developed after one from Japan.

According to the publication, Korea’s Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy recently invited some 60 children in Seoul to interact with the robot, “EveR-1.”

Its name combines the first female name found in the Bible, Eve, with the “r” in robot.

The Korean Institute for Industrial Technology in Chungnam, Korea, developed the android, or humanoid robot.

The android has the face and body of a woman in her 20s. It can move its upper body and express happiness, anger, sadness and pleasure, a statement from the institute said.

EveR-1 understands 400 words, according to the institute. It can also look back at whoever stands near it, Chosun Ilbo reported; its skin is made from a silicon jelly that feels similar to human skin. But it can’t move its lower half.


Schoolchildren visit the android EveR-1. Click here to enlarge. (Courtesy KITECH).


“Fifteen tiny motors embedded into her silicon face enable her to make a total of four expressions in tune with as many sentiments,” the institute said in its statement. “From a distance, the android could be confused with a real, flesh and blood human being.”

“The robot can serve to provide information in department stores and museums or read stories to children; it’s capable of both education and entertainment functions,” said the institute’s Baeg Moon-hong, part of the team that created the robot, according to Chosun Ilbo.

Later this year, the institute plans to debut EveR-2, which will have better vision, expressive capacities and the ability to sit or stand, Moon-hong told the publication.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Science writer Jack Lucentini is founder and editor of the World Science science news webzine. He has worked as a staff writer at three daily newspapers, and as a freelance science writer for a range of publications including The Washington Post, Discover magazine and The Scientist magazine. He earned his bachelor's degree at Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio in 1993.