. 24/7 Space News .
New Japanese lightweight robot on wheels can talk

Combo photo shows Japanese electronics giant Hitachi unveiling the company's new humanoid robot "EMIEW 2" (Excellent Mobility and Interactive Existence as Workmate) equipped with the world's first convertible legs, which enable them to convert four-weels, two wheels and two feet to clear maximum three centimeters gaps at the company's laboratory at Hitachinaka city in Ibaraki prefecture, 21 November 2007. (L-R) four-wheel, two-wheel and legs version of the robot which measures 80cm tall and weighs 13kg. Photo courtesy AFP.
by Staff Writers
Hitachinaka, Japan (AFP) Nov 21, 2007
Japanese engineering giant Hitachi Ltd. on Wednesday unveiled a new lightweight robot that can converse while easily scooting around people.

In a first for a humanoid, the robot has convertible legs, allowing it to walk on two legs or roll about on either two or four wheels, Hitachi said.

In a demonstration near Tokyo, Hitachi showed how the robot, clad in a red jacket and cap, could be used to bring drinks or paperwork or guide guests at an office.

Standing 80 centimeters (31.5 inches) tall and weighing just 13 kilogrammes (29 pounds), the "EMIEW 2" robot demonstrates a step towards production of machines that can live with and support humans, a company statement said.

Sensors on the machine enable the robot to learn the locations of objects and open spaces in an office while recognising moving people.

The robot can also serve as a receptionist or after-hour security monitor, Hitachi said.

Hitachi is one of a number of Japanese companies which has been trying to develop humanoids to compensate for a future labour shortage in Japan, whose population is rapidly ageing but which rejects large-scale immigration.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. earlier this year started renting out humanoid robots which can recognise about 10,000 words necessary for daily life and can work the front desks of offices and hospitals.

Community
Email This Article
Comment On This Article

Related Links
All about the robots on Earth and beyond!



Memory Foam Mattress Review
Newsletters :: SpaceDaily :: SpaceWar :: TerraDaily :: Energy Daily
XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News


Can A Robot Find A Rock. Interview With David Wettergreen: Part IV
Moffett Field CA (SPX) Oct 26, 2007
In the final segment of our four-part interview with David Wettergreen, an associate research professor at the Carnegie Mellon University Field Robotics Center, he explains why it's not so easy for a robot to find a rock.







  • Jogging To Mars
  • SPACEHAB Supporting Key Milestones Under NASA Space Act Agreement
  • Brazil to invest 28 bln dollars in science and technology: Lula
  • Orbital Outfitters Debuts IS3C - First-Ever Fully Functional Commercial Pressure Spacesuit

  • Questioning Martian Life
  • Mars' Molten Past
  • Mars Express Creates First Global Map Of Martian Ionosphere
  • Rover Finds Way To Brush Rock Surfaces Despite Setbacks

  • Thuraya-3 Satellite Launch Delayed Again
  • Site Thefts Place Russian Rocket Launches Under Threat In French Guiana
  • Russia To Launch Manned Spacecraft From New Site In 2018
  • Lockheed Martin-Built Sirius 4 Launched Successfully From Baikonur Cosmodrome

  • Rosetta: Earth's True Colours
  • Northrop Grumman-Built Hyperion Imager Celebrates Seventh Anniversary On-Orbit
  • TRMM Turns Ten - Studying Precipitation From Space
  • Rosetta: OSIRIS' View Of Earth By Night

  • Data For The Next Generations
  • Goddard Instrument Makes Cover Of Science
  • Checking Out New Horizons
  • Pluto-Bound New Horizons Sees Changes In Jupiter System

  • Astronomers Discover Stars With Carbon Atmospheres
  • Watching Galaxies Grow Old Gracefully
  • Record-busting supernova prompts new ideas on death of stars
  • Cosmological Data Affected By An Unexpected Source Of Radiation In Interstellar Space

  • SKorea to join Asian space race: science ministry
  • Astronomers Say Moons Like Ours Are Uncommon
  • Chang'e-1 Opens Facilities For Data Transmission
  • Moon Rocket Parachute Tests A Success

  • Raytheon Completes Test To Begin Improving Accuracy Of GPS Signals Over India
  • German chancellor says satnav financing plan to be drafted soon
  • GPS Chipset Shipments To Grow From 110 Million To 725 Million Units In 2011
  • Providence Health And Services Chooses WWT and AeroScout For Wireless Asset Tracking Solution

  • The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2007 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement