This face robot from the Science University of Tokyo has electric actuators beneath its silicon skin that change facial expressions much as human muscles do. Robotics institutes around the world come up with inventions that have both practical application and popular appeal.

Professor Fumio Hara of the Science University of Tokyo poses with a face robot (stripped of its late skin) which can recognize expressions and make faces of its own. Robotics institutes around the world come up with inventions that have both practical application and popular appeal.

Robotics institutes around the world come up with inventions that have both practical application and popular appeal.

Robotics institutes around the world come up with inventions that have both practical application and popular appeal.

Robotics institutes around the world come up with inventions that have both practical application and popular appeal.

The self-supporting Honda P-3 humanoid walks on two legs, can open doors and climb up and down stairs. Robotics institutes around the world come up with inventions that have both practical application and popular appeal.

Robotics institutes around the world come up with inventions that have both practical application and popular appeal.

Robotics institutes around the world come up with inventions that have both practical application and popular appeal.

Robotics institutes around the world come up with inventions that have both practical application and popular appeal.

Graduate student Jerry Pratt at the MIT Leg Lab controls Spring Flamingo, the first walking robot with fully jointed ankles. It can walk at human pace and manage slopes of 15 degrees. Robotics institutes around the world come up with inventions that have both practical application and popular appeal.

Robosaurus, an electro-hydromechanical monster, breathes fire and crushes cars to entertain crowds. Robotics institutes around the world come up with inventions that have both practical application and popular appeal.

Robotics institutes around the world come up with inventions that have both practical application and popular appeal.

Portraits,2nd prize