The Waseda-Docomo face robot 2 (or WD-2) uses a unique technology to alter its expression. The face portion is made of Septom, a highly elastic material.
Atsuo Takanishi and colleagues from Waseda University in Tokyo have been working on the WD series since 2003. WD-2 has 17 facial points, for a total of 56 degrees of freedom.
(Waseda Docomo face robot 2 video demonstration)
The shape of the mask is determined by shafts just behind each facial point; driven by a DC motor with a pulley and slide screw, the face changes. Using a 3D scanner-created image of a person's face, Waseda-Docomo face robot 2 can imitate anyone's face.
I'm pretty sure that there were face-morphing robots in science fiction - but I can't remember the reference. Readers are invited to contribute. However, I do recall the Bene Tleilax face dancers who have remarkable powers of mimicry, including altering the structure of their faces.
Update: A reader reminded me about the liquid metal robot from Terminator 2. End update.
.
Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!)
is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for
the Invention Category that interests
you, the Glossary, the Invention
Timeline, or see what's New.
Illustrating Classic Heinlein With AI
'Stasis, cold sleep, hibernation, hypothermia, reduced metabolism, call it what you will - the logistics-medicine research teams had found a way to stack people like cordwood and use them when needed.'
Deflector Plasma Screen For Drones ala Star Wars
'If the enemy persists in attacking or even intensifies their power, the density of the plasma in space will suddenly increase, causing it to reflect most of the incoming energy like a mirror.'