Stocky Japanese robot to take orders to help with daily chores

0 Comments | AFP, March, 2005

TOKYO (AFP) — Japanese technology giant Hitachi said it had developed a stocky robot on two wheels that can take orders from human voices and lend a hand with daily chores.

The short-legged and long-armed robot called EMIEW, which stands for Excellent Mobility and Interactive as Workmate, can walk as fast as six kilometers (3.7 miles) per hour and respond to human voices within a radius of one meter (3.3 feet).

The white-and-gray robot is 130 centimeters (52 inches) tall and weighs 70 kilograms (154 pounds). It is equipped with flexible arms and hands and censors to avoid obstacles, analyze sounds and recognize human faces.

"We are planning to put it into use by further improving its functions so that it can co-exist and coordinate with humans as a...