Robotics has not yet managed to escape that cursed valley, but with each new humanoid robot model, the rope is getting longer. In this case we find Han, an advanced development by Hanson Robotics. Han can perform multiple facial expressions while speaking and maintain eye contact, but it’s its synthetic skin that forces us to look at it again and again.
Every time the phrase “humanoid robot” comes up, we must consider its future applications. After all, the essential goal of the robot is to replace a human, and so possibilities such as hosting jobs, telepresence, elderly care, nursing, and entertainment are considered. The debate has been delayed by a simple issue: robots still have limited functions, are expensive, and their humanoid appearance leaves much to be desired. However, the sharpest edges are slowly disappearing, and each new project gets a little closer to the “idea” or the “feeling” we have about a humanoid robot. One of the latest examples is Han.
Han made its public debut at the Global Sources Electronics Fair held in Hong Kong. Everyone present enjoyed a unique opportunity to talk with Han, study its facial expressions, maintain eye contact, and closely observe its synthetic skin, which Hanson Robotics calls “Frubber”, a name derived from Face Rubber. All we know about Frubber is that it is a proprietary polymer that is very light and highly flexible, seeking to emulate human flesh and other soft tissues. Frubber obeys other details such as cell structure and porosity, with obviously satisfactory results.
This increased level of realism makes Han an ideal choice for what Hanson Robotics calls “patient simulation”. Its responsiveness combined with the properties of Frubber could assist doctors around the globe in their daily training. According to the company’s founder, David Hanson, the famous Uncanny Valley is simply a myth, and the development of his robots aims in a way at that. How will Han fit into all this? I imagine we will know in a few years.
