Home robots in Japan

BNE: A Japanese company started selling a futuristic home robot on September 16. The meter-high humanoid may make housework a thing of the past – for the rich. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries put its internet-linked Wakamaru robot on sale at a price of $150,000. Just 100 of these home helps will initially be available. The robot is the idea of Japanese designer Toshiyuki Kita. He said his creation was “designed in the shape of a human being so that it is not considered simply a machine” and that it has an “independent personality”.

The robot has an impressive number of features. It is capable of recognizing up to ten individuals by name and has a vocabulary of 10,000 words. It can also navigate its way around the house. The Wakamaru website* explains three major functions that will help the lives of the robot’s users: It can live with the family and provide daily schedules; it can speak with the family and be a friend; and it has its own role of looking after the house when no one is home. However, the price needs to come down to make it affordable by all.

DISCUSSION:

• What do you think about Wakamaru?
• What do you think of the idea of robots?
• Are you interested in robots?
• Do you think robots will become more intelligent than humans?
• Would you want your robot to have an independent personality?
• When do you think robots will be as common as cars?
• Do you think you would have conversations with a robot?
• Do you think a home robot would make your life better?

PHOTO CREDIT: http://www.mhi.co.jp/kobe/wakamaru/english/know/design/index.html

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