Humanoid robots, and the culture and history of the Japanese people

The author describes three different positions with regard to robotics : the European, American and Japanese. It focuses on the current Japanese and presents an historical overview, from early automata from the XVI-XVII century to the present day. The Contemporary Japanese scientists are focusing on the production of humanoid robots. According to the author, the creation of anthropomorphic robots helps to question deeply and effectively about the nature of human beings.