[pchelpers] News:Humanoid robot in Japan can recognize 10,000 words, work as house sitter

August 29, 2005 - 14:50
TOKYO (AP) - A child-shaped humanoid robot that can recognize about 
10,000 words and work as a house sitter will go on sale in Japan in 
September.

The Wakamaru robot can recognize the faces of up to 10 people and talk 
to them. When linked to mobile phones, it can also work as a monitor to 
check situations at home, such as a burglary or someone falling ill, 
Mitsubishi-Heavy Industries Ltd. said in a statement Monday.

Mitsubishi-Heavy said it would be the first time a robot with 
communication ability for home use has been sold.

"This is the opening of an era in which human beings and robots can 
coexist," it said.

Mitsubishi-Heavy said it will start taking orders for Wakamaru from 
Sept. 16, and plans to sell 100 of the one-metre-tall, 30-kilogram 
robots at the equivalent of $14,300 US for residents in central Tokyo.

The owner's schedule can be programmed in advance and Wakamaru can give 
a wake-up call and remind them of the day's events.

The robot will be on display at three locations in Tokyo including the 
company's showroom from Sept. 16.

Article here:
http://www.macleans.ca/topstories/news/shownews.jsp?content=w082967A
-- 
Regards, John Durham <http://modecideas.com/contact.html?sig>
ICQ number 112663246
Fax/Phone 64 4 5286786
Award winning web site at http://modecideas.com?sig
PC-HELPERS list subscribe/unsub at http://modecideas.com/index.html?sig
Good advice is like good paint- it only works if applied.



-- 
-------list-services-below-----------
Regards, John Durham (list moderator) <http://modecideas.com/contact.html?sig>
Freelists login at http://www.freelists.org/cgi-bin/lsg2.cgi
List archives at http://www.freelists.org/archives/pchelpers
PC-HELPERS list subscribe/unsub at http://modecideas.com/discuss.htm?sig
Latest news live feeds at http://modecideas.com/indexhomenews.htm?sig
Good advice is like good paint- it only works if applied.

Other related posts: