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.