Education
Nagoya University.
森 政弘
Nagoya University.
The ASIMO robot was designed by one of Masahiro"s students. In 1970, Mori published "Bukimi Number Tani" (不気味の谷 The Uncanny Valley) in Energy. The article forwarded the hypothesis that as robots become more humanlike, they appear more familiar until a point is reached at which subtle imperfections of appearance make them look eerie.
The observation led Mori to the belief that robot builders should not attempt to make their creations overly lifelike in appearance and motion.
In 1988, Mori founded the first nationwide robot-building competition in Japan and has widely promoted robot competitions in the years since then Of Robocon, Mori has said, "When we lose ourselves in an activity, we become creative, friendly and funny.
Think of how children are when they are playing. They are completely absorbed in the game.
Their eyes shine and they are all smiles.
They"re into the game, not themselves. That"s the message of Robocon, too: To not be self-centered, but to love others and share the joy of creating wonderful things."
Mori is currently president of the Mukta Research Institute, which he founded in Tokyo in order to promote his views on religion and robots. The institute also provides consultation on the use of automation and robotics in industry.
Quotations: "I believe robots have the buddha-nature within them--that is, the potential for attaining buddhahood.".