An android is a humanoid robot or other artificial being often made from a flesh-like material. Historically, androids existed only in the domain of science fiction and were frequently seen in film and television, but advances in robot technology have allowed the design of functional and realistic humanoid robots.
Repliee Q2 can mimic human functions such as blinking, breathing and speaking, with the ability to recognize and process speech and touch, and then respond in kind.
Early example of the term androides used to describe human-like mechanical devices, London Times, 22 December 1795
Repliee Q2, a Japanese actroid
A humanoid robot is a robot resembling the human body in shape. The design may be for functional purposes, such as interacting with human tools and environments, for experimental purposes, such as the study of bipedal locomotion, or for other purposes. In general, humanoid robots have a torso, a head, two arms, and two legs, though some humanoid robots may replicate only part of the body, for example, from the waist up. Some humanoid robots also have heads designed to replicate human facial features such as eyes and mouths. Androids are humanoid robots built to aesthetically resemble humans.
Ameca generation 1 pictured in the lab at Engineered Arts Ltd.
Model of Leonardo's robot with inner workings
iCub robot at the Genoa Science Festival, Italy, in 2009
Valkyrie, from NASA
