• A life-like android robot called Aiko Chihira has started her role as a receptionist at the Mitsukoshi Nihombashi department store in Tokyo, Japan!
• It’s reported that Aiko will greet customers as they walk in and direct them to the building’s floors, when requested.
• The department store says it hopes Aiko will be efficient in guiding customers and boosting store campaigns.
• Although Aiko can only presently read out programmed scripts, she will soon receive an upgrade in this regard.
• It’s reported that Aiko uses technology developed by Toshiba (body movements, mouth and voice) and android pioneer Hiroshi Ishiguro at the Osaka University Inelligent Robotics Labratory.
• Fellow (human) receptionist Mio Sakai says she’s honoured to work beside Aiko, even if her smile is a “bit stiff”. 

Read more:

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/04/20/business/japan-robot-receptionist-welcomes-shoppers-tokyo-department-store/#.VTV_3yGeDGc

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/11548919/Life-like-android-robot-receptionist-helps-customers-at-Tokyo-department-store.html

http://blogs.wsj.com/japanrealtime/2015/04/20/kimono-clad-android-offers-assistance-at-tokyo-store/

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