Two weeks ago at the CEATEC Japan 2010 Expo, Masataka Goto, head researcher at AIST (Advanced Industrial Science and Technology) unveiled a new humanoid robot, the HRP-4 a.k.a. �Diva-bot�. Diva-bot has "learned" to sing by imitating human singers, giving it a natural sound and expressions.

The technology that Goto used is called VocalListener. It observes the action and synthesizes the exact notes of a song with a voice synthesizer made by Yamaha.� It�s the same software that the popular game idol�Hatsune Miku is known for, Vocaloid.

The presentation (video below), shows Diva-bot as the lead singer of a group, singing to �Deatta koro no youni�, a song made popular in 1997 by Every Little Thing. The video was so popular it was shown on ABCNews in Southern California. Diva-bot�s vocal and dance concept was done by ex-TRF member, SAM.

Goto is a music technology research scientist and music software developer. He is the leader of of AIST, and believes that if humanoids are to become widespread, then they first need to appear in the entertainment industry where they will be more accepted.

CEATEC (Cutting-edge IT & Electronics Comprehensive Exhibition) was held at Makuhari Messe in Tokyo on October 4th to October 8th.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcZJqiUrbnI

More information on HRP-4.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_migLQ802Go

See Vocaloid in action thru Vocaloid game idol, Hatsune Miku.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fbXdZeO6rI

Source: ASCII, Physorg
Video: DigInfo
Photo: ASCII
Tip: Jonathan