Frubber: Creepy Human Face Robotics

The human face is amazingly complex, especially when it is the first recognition factor for any human being. Robotics designer David Hanson built Frubber (face+rubber), an elastic material used to simulate real-looking faces. 

From when we were born until social networks (think Facebook) today, the human face might be the best recognition and emotion messenger for a human being.  This is why Hanson builds intelligent robots with amazingly lifelike human faces that can make eye contact and understand human speech well enough to hold a conversation.


Developed using techniques inspired by nature, Frubber is a lightweight polymer plastic that contracts and folds just like human skin. Hanson's team is looking at biomimicry in order to emulate what it means to be human in a machine.
We also recommend watching "Telenoid-The Creepiest Telepresence Robot You’ll Ever Love" and "Nao Next Gen: The New Generation of RoboToys".

Frubber: Creepy Human Face Robotics

David Hanson is an American robotics designer and researcher, responsible for the creation of a series of realistic humanoid robots. He received a BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design in film/animation/video, while developing robots as art. Hanson later worked as a sculptor and a technical consultant at Walt Disney Imagineering. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Dallas in spring of 2007. Hanson currently serves as president and founder of Hanson Robotics.