Gallery: Photos of a Strange, Thriving Humanoid Robotics Movement

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    Photos by Luisa Whitton
    01

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    This "toddler" robot was developed by the Japanese Science and Technology Agency and is an example of a subculture of Japanese scientists trying to create robots that could pass as humans.
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    Photos by Luisa Whitton
    02

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    London-based photographer [Luisa Whitton](http://luisawhitton.com/) has captured their stories in a series called *What About the Heart?*
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    Photos by Luisa Whitton
    03

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    A scholarship provided Whitton with the opportunity to travel to Japan to meet with robotics pioneer [Ishiguro](http://www.geminoid.jp/en/index.html), who became famous in tech circles for having built an eerily creepy robotic copy of himself.
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    Photos by Luisa Whitton
    04

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    Ishiguro's Geminoid series of robots are some of the most lifelike synthetics ever assembled.
  • Ishiguro also introduced Whitton to roboticists who were pursuing less realistic humanoid robots.
    Photos by Luisa Whitton
    05

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    Ishiguro also introduced Whitton to roboticists who were pursuing less realistic humanoid robots.
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    Photos by Luisa Whitton
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    Ishiguro's research also led to the development of the "Geminoid F" based on a female subject.
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    Photos by Luisa Whitton
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    Unlike staged press events, Whitton's photos capture the robotic creations in process.
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    Photos by Luisa Whitton
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    Ishiguro's robotic double is apparently enduring the existential pain that comes with facing one's own mortality.
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    Photos by Luisa Whitton
    09

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    Robotics is an exploding field, but most research is being directed to industrial applications, not prototype Terminators.
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    Photos by Luisa Whitton
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    Ishiguro is known for using human hair to complete the charade.
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    Photos by Luisa Whitton
    11

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    Whitton was captivated by a term their creators used, *Sonzai-Kan*, which is essentially the notion that an object can contain the presence or spirit of its creator.
  • Image may contain Hiroshi Ishiguro Face Human Person Head Frown Photo Photography and Portrait
    Photos by Luisa Whitton
    12

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    Hiroshi Ishiguro's robot acts serves a self portrait in addition to science project.
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    Photos by Luisa Whitton
    13

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    Despite the interest in lifelike bots, Japanese researchers haven't abandoned the *kawaii* either.
  • Image may contain Clothing Apparel Human Person Toe and Footwear
    Photos by Luisa Whitton
    14

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    In the west, companies compete to make the best robotic arms. In Japan they're attempting to create the perfect foot.
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