Mitsubishi Heavy industries, Ltd. is introducing « Wakamaru », a child-sized robot built to provide companionship and/or function as a caretaker and house sitter. Wakamaru is nicknamed after a young Japanese samurai, Minamoto Yoshitsune, whose childhood name was « Ushiwakamaru, » associated with « growth » and « development. » Unlike conventional industrial robots or “pet robots” operated by human instructions, Wakamaru acts spontaneously, blending in with its owners’ lifestyles and providing various service functions.
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The robot also takes the initiative in speaking to the family based on the information it obtains from contact with the family as well as from external sources such as the Internet.
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Wakamaru is 3.3 feet tall and weighs 60 pounds. Some of Wakamaru features include the ability to memorize its owner’s daily rhythms and act accordingly, as well as voice and face recognition capabilities. There is internet connectivity to receive and transmit information, remote connectivity with its built-in camera-equipped mobile phone, and autonomous movement and self-recharging capabilities.
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The primary goal of Wakamaru is to provide companionship, and has promise to be an ideal help for elderly people, the disabled, or others wishing to maintain an independent lifestyle.
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To learn more, visit the website at http://www.mhi.co.jp/kobe/wakamaru/english/index.html
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Source : SmartSilvers Alliance website www.smartsilvers.com
