partner robot

Toyota announced today a tour guide robot (with a cool hair-do) that will show visitors around its exhibition hall in Toyota City. There's not much detail about the robot named Robina, but the press release says the wheeled robot can communicate with visitors verbally and using gestures. It can also recognize the visitors' nametags and engage in coversation with them as well as sign autographs with its jointed fingers (which, ahem, we said was coming). Finally it's capable of autonomous navigation. Toyota hopes to monitor the robot and apply what it learns to developing future robots.

While robots like these are a show of a company's technological prowess, Toyota is developing the robots to assist with domestic chores, nursing and medical care, manufacturing and personal transport.

Toyota, which recently surpassed GM to become the world's largest carmaker, announced that it will unveil a new partner robot later this year with hands so advanced it plays the violin. The robot will perform alongside its siblings in an orchestra in celebration of Toyota's 70th anniversary this Fall. In other news, Toyota's Robot DJ will be reassigned to the receptionist position at it's Nagoya office.. yes, it is a slow day here at waziwazi.com