Today, it takes the form of a cartoon-like dog named Rity, developed at the Robot Intelligence Technology (RIT) Laboratory, at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST).

CNN: 'Sobots': Uncorking the robotic genie in a bottle

Now a group of researchers led by Lee Sang-yup of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology say they have come up with an even better way to make PLA, using the emerging science of synthetic biology.

ECONOMIST: Synthetic biology

The researchers cite conflict resolution and discussion as the main uses for their device, but woe to the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology commencement speaker this year.

FORBES: The Japanese Speech Jamming Gun

Standing at just over 5-feet tall and 95-pounds, HRP-4C, developed by Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, will make its catwalk debut next week at the Tokyo fashion show.

ENGADGET: Japan's HRP-4C 'fashion model robot' unveiled, already harassed (update: video!)

Japan's National Institute of Advanced Science and Technology has come up with a take on the Segway concept that's unlikely to encourage the Japanese government to allow standup two-wheelers on its roads.

ENGADGET: Japan's mini-Segway contender, the PMP-2

The first of those took place last July, when Abderrahmane Kheddar, director of the CNRS-AIST joint robotics laboratory at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology in Tsukuba, Japan, and his team used FMRI to allow someone to control a robot located thousands of miles away using only their thoughts.

FORBES: The Robots Are Coming (and they seem to be revolutionizing healthcare, agriculture and education along the way)!