The day may soon be coming when store window mannequins will do much more than serve as static objects on which to hang clothing.

A Japanese firm has developed a new type of “mannequin robot” that is able to strike poses for customers, and even monitor shoppers and their buying habits.

The robot is designed to use motion-capture technology to allow it to mimic the movements of even high-priced supermodels. The manufacturer is also planning to program it with the ability to distinguish shoppers by age and sex, and to collect other information that can be used for marketing purposes.

The new mannequin robot is currently available in two female versions — full-body without legs and upper torso only for jewelry presentations. Future plans call for the addition of legs, as well as male and child variations.