Robot butt is creepy and terrifying and no

Japan, we need to talk. It's not me, it's you. I love that you're into this whole robot thing, but don't you think you're taking it a step too far? The latest development from the Land of the Rising Sun is a pair of robot buttocks called Shiri, designed to "represent emotions with visual and tactual transformation of the muscles." The robot ass can detect when it's been touched (or slapped) with the "muscles" responding accordingly.

The bottom is comprised of a urethane skeleton an actuator that provides the muscle movement. Everything is then covered with a silicon skin in order to mimic human cheeks, although the real fun occurs once you start touching it. The silicon features a microphone that detects when the skin is being touched, with the actuator then adjusting the pressure.

So if you caress the bum gently, you'll only feel a light response, but slapping it will result in a firm tense of the "muscles". The project is a test of robotics technology, but also designed to gauge the response from those who "interact" with Shiri. Our first response? Creepy. Check out the video below to see everything in action.

[via Kotaku]