A lifelike mannequin robot attracts shoppers' fancies in a Tokyo store

A lifelike mannequin Android gazes at shoppers in the window of Takashimiya department store in Tokyo, Japan. Dr. Hiroshi Ishiguro of Osaka University has designed the mannequin, which nods, smiles and yawns at customers. The new visual merchandising concept aims to exert a pull on the onlookers and grab their attention for a few seconds.

Lifelike mannequin android

Takashimiya approached the designer with the idea of creating life-like mannequin concept for Valentine’s Day promotion. Dr Ishiguro, who is quite faous for his Geminoid android robots, developed the female robot using an Xbox Kinect system and facial recognition software. The humanoid, which can bring sixty expressions on its face, is further programmed to articulate four major emotional states.

Shoppers in the store were seen thronging into the mannequin’s cabin and clicking images with their mobiles. Ishiguro is really excited about the female robot, which can prove to be a better marketing strategy for top retailer brands today. He plans to take the notion over to the U.S. aiming at the luxury shops like Fifth Avenue in Ney York City.

To keep the shoppers amazed, the lifelike model is set to react with some sudden movements, but in a natural way, the designer says. Indeed, at a glance, everyone will take it as a lady in the window of the store and might need a second look to confirm if it is a robot rather than a real lady.

Via: DigitalTrends