# Robot Actors Osaka University Stages First Human/Wakamaru Play By Michael Plishka | Published 2008-11-29 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wakamaru-robot-actors-share-stage-with-humans References: [idleparis](http://idleparis.co.uk/first-robot-and-human-stage-play/) & [news.bbc](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7749932.stm) At Japan's [Osaka University](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/centipede-robot), the first Human/Robot play was staged to an audience made up of media--all humans. The 20 minute production called Hataraku Watashi ("I, Worker") is written by playwright Oriza Hirata. The play is about the plight of two [working housekeeper robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/neo-gamma)--one of whom loses its zeal for working--and their owners. The non-human actors, modified Wakamaru robots usually used for [helping the disabled and seniors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fourier-g3), have perhaps found another calling. According to [The Sun](http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article1983887.ece), one person who viewed the play said, "It was very surprising, you could see the robots thinking about how to respond--you could swear they were feeling emotion." All the world's a stage / And all the men, women and robots merely players... ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.5/10 - Popularity: 25% | Activity: 71% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [AI](https://www.trendhunter.com/ai) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Robot Actors:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore the use of robots as actors in theater productions, opening up new possibilities for human-robot collaborations. - **Human/robot Plays:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop and stage more human/robot plays that explore the dynamic between humans and robots, fostering empathy and understanding. - **Humanoid Assistive Robots:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Repurpose humanoid assistive robots to engage in creative endeavors such as acting, expanding their potential applications beyond their original purpose. ### Where This Applies - **Theater:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Introduce robots into the theater industry to enhance performances, creating unique and captivating experiences for audiences. - **Artificial Intelligence:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Combine artificial intelligence and robotics to create more lifelike and emotionally responsive robots for various industries, including entertainment and companionship. - **Assistive Robotics:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore the potential of repurposing assistive robots for creative tasks, opening up new markets and applications in the field of robotics. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Humanoid Chore Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mindon-unitree-g1.md) - [Actuator Energy Humanoid Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/optimus-1.md) - [Real-World Service Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/service-robot1.md) - [Cutting-Edge AI Humanoid Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/old-world-labs.md) - [Empathetic Interactive Game Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/forhpeus.md) - [AI-Powered Customer Service Humanoids](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aipowered-humanoid-robot.md) - [Advanced Humanoid Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ameca.md) - [Festive Humanoid Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hmnd-01.md) - [Humanoid Household Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/1x-neo-beta.md)