A real humanoid robot about Astro's size

[Tetsuwan Penguin]

Something close to Astro actually exists.
http://www.wired.com/2014/04/honda-asimo/#x

Honda has been developing Asimo for many years. He's 4'3" tall which is close to the height that Tezuka has described Atom is (which varies between 4' - 5' depending on the version of the story.) Asimo weighs about 110lbs which is almost double Astro's 67lbs. (Wouldn't it have been cool if they modeled his body more like Astro's, at least his face?)

[cybotron]

the Robot development program is now essential for the future of Japan their only hope to stop fukushima is remote controlled and programmable robots like this.

[Tetsuwan Penguin]

Actually Asimo isn't being targeted for use in first response, dangerous locations. I think they are developing specialized robots for that, not necessarily humanoid form.
DARPA may be involved in research with Japan, with robots such as Atlas.

[Windswept Cloak]

Interesting.