Tyra Banks may be trying to groom the next supermodel on “America’s Next Top Model,” but over in Tokyo, they’re building their catwalkers from motors, batteries, and software. On March 23, the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology will unveil HRP-4C, a sleek Cybernetic fashion model that is battery-powered and programmed to mimic the facial expressions, gait, and poses of real supermodels. This robot is 5 feet 2 inches tall — quite a bit shorter than the average runway model, but her 95-pound weight will have every starving supermodel jealous. Although her shape represents the average Japanese woman, her eyes, face, and hair are based on anime comics. Like most runway walkers, this robot is programmed only for entertainment, not housework. At a cost of $2 million, this model might never come to market, but experts expect a multi-billion dollar robot industry in the future. [Reuters]
