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Robots steal the show in Tokyo at Ceatec 2014 (pictures)

Ceatec is Japan's largest consumer electronics show, and always a good glimpse into the future. It's also a great place to see some crazy robots on display. Here are some of our favorites.

Tim Stevens
Tim Stevens got his start writing professionally while still in school in the mid '90s, and since then has covered topics ranging from business process management to video game development to automotive technology.
Tim Stevens
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1 of 18 Tim Stevens/CNET

Robots at Ceatec 2014

Welcome to Tokyo! Ceatec is Japan's biggest consumer electronics show, and a great glimpse at the future of consumer tech. It's also a great place to scope out some insane robots, like this giant dinosaur!

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Robots at Ceatec 2014

Called TE Saurus, this robot is from TE Connectivity. The 'bot has little more brains than your average animatronic creation.

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3 of 18 Tim Stevens/CNET

Robots at Ceatec 2014

Instead of having a brain, TE Saurus relies on a smartphone app to control its movements, which include running, jumping and, of course, roaring.

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4 of 18 Tim Stevens/CNET

Robots at Ceatec 2014

This menacing tripod is not invading from Mars. Instead it's here to play a friendly game of table tennis.

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Robots at Ceatec 2014

Omron's table tennis bot is a demonstration to show what a more intelligent assembly line bot could do, making decisions based on human interactions.

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Robots at Ceatec 2014

It even had a digital face, which didn't succeed in making it any less imposing.

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Robots at Ceatec 2014

This is Bocco, a little 'bot intended for preschoolers. The idea is that mom or dad can send a message to Bocco that will play when the kids get home, and then kids can send a message back by pressing a button on Bocco's belly.

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Robots at Ceatec 2014

Bocco will be available in three colors early next year, hopefully for around $200 (£120/AU$225).

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9 of 18 Tim Stevens/CNET

Robots at Ceatec 2014

Not a robot exactly, but too cool to not include, is Skeletonics. It's a 12-foot exoskeleton, perfect for your next cosplay convention.

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Robots at Ceatec 2014

Bionic hands have some sharp-looking, battery-powered claws.

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Robots at Ceatec 2014

Skeletonics is intended to be covered in whatever robotic exterior you choose. Yours for just $50,000.

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Robots at Ceatec 2014

Toshiba did away with a human receptionist and instead put this creepy-looking robot out front. She wasn't much help at anything beyond "konichiwa."

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Robots at Ceatec 2014

This is Rapiro, a little DIY robot kit that's powered by a Raspberry Pi module. Build him and paint him however you like, then have fun controlling his behavior.

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Robots at Ceatec 2014

Denso's Denou-sen robot is a master at playing shogi, or Japanese chess. It recognizes and moves pieces around using a robotic arm.

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Robots at Ceatec 2014

Denou-sen has recently beaten some human masters at the game of shogi.

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Robots at Ceatec 2014

OriHime is a telepresence robot, with cameras for eyes and speakers for a mouth. This one has been outfitted with a custom face made to look like, what else, his creator.

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17 of 18 Tim Stevens/CNET

Robots at Ceatec 2014

Chapit has been around for a few years, but he's still on the expo circuit. The chill little guy can handle some home automation tasks -- air conditioning, lighting -- and automatically make adjustments based on who it recognizes and simple voice commands.

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Robots at Ceatec 2014

Thank for reading, and may our future robotic overlords take kindly to you.

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