Emma the robot masseuse gets to work in Singapore

Robot masseuse performs a massage on patient Elaine Low, 35, at the NovaHealth traditional chinese medicine (TCM) clinic in Singapore.

A robot masseuse named Emma is offering Singaporeans high-tech back rubs with a gigantic metal arm and warm silicone tips which its creators say perfectly mimic the human touch.

The robot, the brainchild of local startup AiTreat, began work at a clinic in the city-state this week and performs "tui na", a type of massage practised in traditional Chinese medicine.