Doraemon

I want one!
Toy maker Bandai Co. has brought popular Doraemon a little closer to life by producing a robot version of the cartoon character that can converse with humans.

The firm plans to put "Doraemon the Robot" on the market at the end of March. The product is the first in Bandai's project to "create a real Doraemon by 2010."

The robot, which stands 26.5 centimeters tall and weighs 1.3 kilograms, uses the latest voice-recognition technology and sensors to make its interaction with humans unique.

It can use about 750 words spoken with the voice of the animated version of Doraemon, and can recognize nine human words including "Doraemon," "Let's play," and "Mouse." When someone says, "Doraemon, let's play," for example, the robot responds by asking, "What shall we do?"

Since the robot contains 10 types of light and inclination sensors, it can tell when someone has hit it on the head, and says, "Hey, that hurts." When it is stroked, it says, "If you're going to stroke me I wouldn't mind a bean-jam pancake as well."

When a registered password is spoken, Doraemon's prized pocket opens. The robot's movements can also be controlled with a remote controller modeled in the shape of a bean-filled pancake.

An added feature of the Doraemon robot is that it is equipped with a clock and calendar, and can remember important events such as people's birthdays and even when it is time to put the rubbish out.

Bandai President Takeo Takasu said he wanted to continue to improve the robot.

"In the future, we want to add a function that enables it to distinguish between people, and get even closer to the real Doraemon," he said. (Mainichi Shimbun, Japan, Jan. 15, 2004)