Bunraku robot -- Bunraku robot --

A trio of old-school bunraku puppet robots revived nearly 40 years after they were unveiled at the 1970 World Expo in Osaka are temporarily on display at the National Science Museum in Tokyo. Modeled after classic bunraku puppets, each pre-programmed robot is driven by around 20 pneumatic cylinders that move the arms, torso, head and face in sync with accompanying audio.

Here's some video of one whose face transforms into that of a demon:


+ Bunraku robot

A few more photos of the other robots, which are on display at the Science Museum until February 8:

Bunraku robot -- Bunraku robot -- Bunraku robot --

Bunraku robot --

Bunraku robot --

Bunraku robot --

Bunraku robot --

Bunraku robot --