Robots that can mimic the exact brush strokes of master painters
or calligraphers could recreate their work, a Japanese
researcher said Tuesday. "We have been able to teach this robot
to successfully copy the brush strokes of a master of
calligraphy," said Seiichiro Katsura, an associate professor of
system design engineering at Keio University. A perfect copy of
a work by long-dead artists such as Monet or Picasso is not
possible, as the robot needs a living model to imitate, applying
the same pressure and making the same gestures, Katsura said.
But the technology could be used in complex surgery or
mechanics. "In Japan, where the population is quickly ageing,
there are fears that valuable skills may not be handed down to
younger generations," said Katsura. The robot was on display at
Asia's biggest tech fair—the Combined Exhibition of Advanced
Technologies (CEATEC) exhibition—which opened on Tuesday at
Makuhari, near Tokyo. Explore further: Smartphones control smart
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