Interactive robots aren’t exactly what we can call trendy, but their numbers sure are getting higher nowadays. Interaction though comes at many levels and stages, and this robot floats at the shallowest top, at a level where you can actually consider it a bit creepy.

The Yukirin Robot, as it is called, is a humanoid robot with motion detection sensors, coordinating its head and eye movements as people go within its ‘sight’ range. It is modeled after Yuki “Yukirin” Kashiwagi, a member of the popular Japanese idol group AKB48. If you go near it, it will instantly lock its gaze at you, and its mesmerizing empty stare will follow you around as long as it detects your presence, or anybody else’s.

Obviously, the tracking system isn’t so complex technology-wise, and we’ve also already seen better applications of the same technology. But in fact, part of what makes it a bit unnerving (and amazing) is that it is so simple. As hinted earlier, it interacts, but at a very, very basic level. It’s almost human-like appearance makes its rigid reactions very artificial (more so as it is modeled after an actual person), and it falls straight into the uncanny valley category. If it’s a lot less human-like, then it just might pass off as a cute little toy, though that still wouldn’t actually quell that very same uneasy sensation.

Yukirin Robot was first unveiled last July this year. It’s latest appearance was last week, at the Marunage (“throw away”) Day event held by NicoNico, a well known Japanese video streaming website. It was created by TODO, and was originally named as Gazeroid. The robot was presented as an “interactive art exhibit” for the recent event, so needless to say, the robot is only for show. Think of it as a high-tech version of haunted paintings looking at its observers.

But maybe a few would like it enough to take one home though?

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CEATEC Japan 2014, like any other tech event, was filled with new ideas and innovations of current technologies. This is especially true for Toshiba (TYO: 6502), which had its booth and info desk taken care of by a robot that can communicate using its hands.

Introduced as Chihara Aiko, this humanoid clerk robot stands at roughly the size of an average person, with physical features that reinforce its outer appearance. Affectionately called as Ms. Aiko, the robot is Toshiba’s concept of developing a guidance robot that can communicate in social welfare and healthcare settings using sign language. Basically, it is designed to provide combined actions and gestures that would synch with its vocal responses.

Infused with modern robotics and AI tech, it can perform a considerable combination of gestures and greetings, depending on the setting and situation. While the fluidity of her physical movements is not as advanced as other previously designed humanoid robots, the total of 43 motion devices still ensure that she can provide sign language gestures in a more or less standard (if not creepy) manner. Here’s a better, closer look at how it does its gestures in action:

Chihara Aiko was a collaborative effort between multiple research and academic institutions. Its expressions and eye movements were designed by aLab Inc. and Osaka University, while Shibaura and Shonan Institute of Technology were responsible for building its sensors and motion systems.

As it is still a concept, the number of sign language expressions it can do are still quite limited. Toshiba however, stated that it plans to significantly expand its sign language vocabulary, allowing it to better provide information and varied responses via hand gestures in the near future.

Toshiba plans to use the sign language robot for the upcoming 2020 Olympics, where enhanced versions of it can be installed to provide assistance to the elderly and people with hearing disabilities. At the very least however, the company wants to develop a fully functioning model as early as next year.

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