Yesterday, we ran an article telling the story of a dentist in Japan who was arrested for “massaging” a female patient’s chest while claiming that doing so would help fix her misaligned teeth. In it, we included a photo of what appeared to be a young woman in a dentist’s chair with her mouth wide open.
We received plenty of comments on Facebook and Twitter about the news story itself, but many people also took a profound interest in the model in the photo, some feeling quite uneasy about the way she looked yet not knowing why, asking, “What’s wrong with her eyes!?”
The answer to that question is simple, but also kind of creepy: the woman in the photo is an ultra-lifelike doll used in dentistry.
Showa Hanako 2, the second version of a lifelike “android” designed by Japan’s Showa University in 2011, is intended to help dental students practice in a safe environment while receiving the kind of feedback they might from a real, human, patient.
The robot is programmed with a number of lifelike head and facial movements and can even respond to a set number of questions. Viewed in the right light, her skin, hair and eyes look almost like the real thing, with responses such as coughing and a gag reflex also kicking in when certain areas of the mouth are probed.
Oh, and if you think this all sounds a little bit creepy but you just can’t put your finger on the reason why, you might not be too surprised to learn that the robot’s lifelike silicone skin, mouth, and even tongue, were produced by Orient Industry, a company that specialises in love dolls for men.
We’ll leave you with a video from tech experts Diginfo which introduces the doll and outlines its many facets and capabilities. The robot really is quite remarkable, and given that this model has been around for two years now, we can only begin to imagine what the next model will look like. Massively creepy, no doubt!
Source/images: Diginfo
Japan’s EF English Proficiency Index rank drops for 11th straight year, hits lowest ever
Japan considering raising international traveler departure tax even more than previously reported
Popular Japanese ramen restaurant Ichiran’s lucky bags are great value for money
Japan’s Shinkansen trains are getting a Super Mario makeover【Pics】
Japanese town suing resident for being a jerk
Japan’s EF English Proficiency Index rank drops for 11th straight year, hits lowest ever
Japan considering raising international traveler departure tax even more than previously reported
Popular Japanese ramen restaurant Ichiran’s lucky bags are great value for money
Japan’s Shinkansen trains are getting a Super Mario makeover【Pics】
Japanese town suing resident for being a jerk
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Nintendo releases Metroid-shaped ice cube/cooking tray and Samus arm cannon pillow【Pics】
It looks like fish, but does it taste like it? Imitation tuna almost breaks our minds 【Taste test】
The etiquette rules for visiting Shinto shrines in Japan
12 beautiful Japanese train stations by the sea
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Yoshinoya adds first-ever chain-wide ramen with new beef and pork-broth noodle hot pot meals
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Shibuya’s Don Quijote?
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowd sizes in Nara?
Studio Ghibli stamps lift your spirits with motivational phrases from Totoro
New fish discovered and named “Vanderhorstia supersaiyan” for obvious reasons
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Tokyo hotel lets you make your stay a Sanrio one with special My Melody and Kuromi rooms【Pics】
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
J-pop mega star Ado reveals she’s been living in the U.S., may not understand language acquisition
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Nintendo releases Metroid-shaped ice cube/cooking tray and Samus arm cannon pillow【Pics】
It looks like fish, but does it taste like it? Imitation tuna almost breaks our minds 【Taste test】
The etiquette rules for visiting Shinto shrines in Japan
12 beautiful Japanese train stations by the sea
Makers of frozen snack sincerely apologize for a 9-cent price increase
Tokyo’s Ueno Station has an unmanned noodle restaurant on its platform, and its no-joke good
Chinese government’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning has heartwarming non-effect on Yokohama Chinatown
Is Japanese canned sushi everything we ever dreamed of? We try it out
Pokémon and hot spring bathhouse collaborate to bring Pokémon to your bath and sauna sessions
Meet the Japanese salarymen who defy gravity in a Tokyo park during lunchtime
Oddly-satisfying video shows katana warping and bending in water as it is forged
Hit anime film Your Name’s Academy Award qualification run dates officially announced
How to make black fried chicken for Black Friday/Fry Day【Recipe】
Leave a Reply