And, as I walked into the room where the research team keeps Robear, it couldn’t have been more polite. I was greeted with a Japanese-style bow, then a wave when Robear raised its head. These are all pre-programmed routines, of course, but they’re disarmingly engaging for an anthropomorphic, computerized hunk of metal and soft plastic. That said, Mukai admits that the design may not have universal appeal around the world — Robear is pretty clearly a Japanese robot.