Robot created to look like young girl

OSAKA , Japan, Oct. 9 (UPI) -- Japanese scientists say they've created a life-like robot resembling a 5-year-old girl.

The robot Repliee R-1, developed by researchers at Osaka University, has flexible silicone skin, eyes that blink and and can move and interact with its surroundings like a human, The Daily Telegraph newspaper reported Wednesday.

Researchers said the robot can fetch objects for the elderly and disabled. Its life-like appearance was designed to make people feel more comfortable about interacting with a robot.

The Japanese robotics firm Cyberdyne said it expects to start mass-producing the robots shortly.