Built in 1928 by biologist Makoto Nishimura for the ascension of the Emperor Showa (aka Hirohito), Gakutensoku is Asia’s oldest modern robot. Twice as tall as the emperor at 10 feet, 6 inches, it could tilt its head, blink, smile and puff up its chest and cheeks with a system of inflatable rubber tubes (powered by compressed air). Lost in Germany for a long time before returning to Osaka, it’s been restored and brought back to life with a $200,000 computer-controlled pneumatic servo system. But it definitely still moves very slow like an 80-year-old. The Gakutensoku will be the main attraction at the newly renovated Osaka Science Museum beginning July 18. Check out the video of it in motion below.

Source: Asahi, Pink Tentacle