A Japanese-made robot that looks like Leonardo da Vinci and mimics the facial expressions of the Italian polymath is set to go on show at Milan's National Museum of Science and Technology.
The android, which uses latest generation facial mimicry technology, resembles Da Vinci in his later years, with a furrowed brow and long beard.
It was developed by Osaka University's Minoru Asada, who has spent years working on androids that are increasingly capable of interacting with humans, aiming eventually to create personal robots for households.
"If Leonardo was alive today, he would build robots," Asada said of the Renaissance genius. "He was a pioneer of interdisciplinary research and today we still need his spirit to have a global and more human vision of science," he said.
He said this was the first time that an android had been developed to mimic a deceased historical figure. Asada's team used pictures and information from historical documents to help reconstruct Da Vinci's image, he said.
The "Living with Robots" event at the museum runs from September 4 until September 27. During weekends, visitors will be able to talk directly to the Da Vinci robot, controlled by a human explainer, the museum says on its website.
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