A Robot Child to Watch Your Back

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By Newsweek Editors

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Are you lonely? do you have trouble getting up on time? Help may be on the way. Last month Mitsubishi Heavy Industries began taking orders for Wakamaru, the world's first communicative home-use robot. Those willing to shell out $14,300 will get a 3.2-foot-tall bright yellow companion who will follow them around, keep them on schedule, chatter idly and even worry if they get stuck in traffic.

Life with Wakamaru will be like having a precocious child who never throws tantrums. In the morning, the robot will come to your bed to wake you at a preprogrammed hour. While you dress, he'll recite the day's headlines and advise if you should take an umbrella. He moves about smoothly on a wheeled pedestal. His oversize round eyes and childlike gestures are what first attract people, says Junji Suzuki, a Mitsubishi Heavy manager. The robot can recognize up to 10,000 words--and respond with phrases from "I love you" to "The typhoon season is here!" When he can't understand, he beeps faintly and inclines his head.

The robot goes where you go, following sound and movement. If you're idle, he'll approach and start talking nonsense--like a real kid, but less self-absorbed. Wakamaru will message you if you don't get home on time, and alert friends and family if you don't respond. Mitsubishi Heavy is shipping 100 units this year, and will expand production based on the response. Rival home robots are coming from Sony and Fujitsu. Now, if only they could make one that does dishes.

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