Japanese robots are cute and make you smile; their European and American counterparts just look like robots. Words fail me when it comes to describing this incursion of China in the robot realm.

Baizhixing (meaning “smart star”), developed at the Harbin Institute of Technology, is able to make facial expressions, its mouth moves while speaking, and it moves its head, neck, arms and legs.

Baizhixing is aimed at helping rudimentary knowledge development and character cultivation in preschool children, supported by a dedicated website.

“It combines animal imitation technology and modern preschool education theory,” explained Dr Bao Qingshan, integrating control systems, complicated mechanical structures, speech synthesis and expandable networking technology.

Via Carbongeek Xinhuanet.