14 DAY TRIAL // Although robots seem to have an evolving role in our society, people aren't quite thrilled about "adopting" one. However, replacing people, reducing costs or reducing unemployment are only three reasons that make people chose huge industrial bots over humans.
Japan continued to create robot workers to deal with the massive labor shortages, caused by the aging population. Last month, one of the leaders in the robotic industry, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, announced their robotic Wakamaru to be available for rent, in places that require a receptionist.
It was then, when the company fully released images of the robot. The mobile bot has an android upper body, two arms, an expressive head, and moves using a wheeled base. The most impressive thing: the robot understands about 10.000 words, not to mention it also recognizes faces, and tracks people while avoiding obstacles in its path. According to the company's representatives, the robot could actually localize itself using an innovative map of the ceiling and an integrated camera.
For those of you that are unaware of the subject, Wakamaru was put on sale a couple of years ago, for a price tag of 13.000. Then, just as Honda did with its humanoid robot ASIMO, one could rent a robot for $1000, for up to five days, which is even more expensive than buying it.
After so much toil, it seems that things didn't turn out so well for Mitsubishi's Wakamaru, as the company received only a few dozen orders.
According to Engadget, other problems that hindered their acceptance by the society were the limited conversational capabilities and the lack for Internet content. Therefore, Mitsubishi is currently working on expanding some of the robot's functionalities, such as carrying on drinks or newspapers and let it even open the door. What's next?
