Managua, Mar 21 (EFE).– Japanese scientist Hiroshi Ishiguro presented in Nicaragua two robots he calls “humanoids,” which he developed with systems of cognitive intelligence, and which are capable of walking, talking and interacting with people.

Ishiguro is director of the Intelligent Robotics Laboratory of the Upper School of Engineering Sciences at Japan’s Osaka University, and came to Managua to offer a conference at the Central American University of Nicaragua, or UCA.

During the conference, the scientist presented the humanoid Robovie-X, which spoke with the public, demonstrated athletic moves and played an imaginary guitar.

Ishiguro also presented a slide show of other kinds of robots like the “android” and the “geminoid.”

The geminoids are a male and female robot couple with cognitive intelligence, capable of making facial expressions.

The android does the same as human beings – it memorizes behavior and has “some advantages that humans don’t. For example, it doesn’t have to go to the bathroom and never gets tired,” he joked.

Ishiguro has dedicated his life to creating robots and one of his greatest challenges is to make them as much like humans as possible.

For the scientist, it is impossible to talk about robots without entering into neuroscience, which studies the brain and how it controls the body.

And as far as their emotions are concerned, it’s essential to work with psychologists in order to understand how feelings work in people.

Unfortunately, he said that robots “still can’t hold a conversation anything like humans do.”

To control a robot, Ishiguro uses sensors that recognize facial expressions and moods, as well as cameras and different means of communication.

“Robots are useful in different fields – as guides, in education and as caretakers. The latter is particuarly valid in Japan where there are many elderly people and not enough younger people who want to look after them,” he said.

“Technology has changed the world and robotics is part of that,” the scientist said.

Ishiguro is considered one of the 100 most brilliant living scientists in the world. EFE