[KnyteTrypper]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050830/ap_on_hi_te/japan_humanoid_robot

TOKYO - 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 meter- (3.3 feet-) tall, 30 kilogram (66 pound)
robots at about 1.58 million yen (US$14,300;
euro11,619) 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.


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