Keywords
Citation
(2001), "New robot takes orders by phone", Industrial Robot, Vol. 28 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/ir.2001.04928daf.003
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2001, MCB UP Limited
New robot takes orders by phone
New robot takes orders by phone
Keywords: Service, Robot
Japan's Takara Co. Ltd has unveiled a humanoid robot – its "Dream Face 01" that can be remotely operated by a mobile phone. It will go on the market this autumn, With a Java-compatible handset, users can make the unit move forward and backward, as well as turn its upper body. The robot, which stands 35cm tall and weighs 1.4kgs, can use a camera, to be sold separately, to take photographs for display on the phone screen. The suggested retail price is about $525 and Takara aims for a first-year sale in fiscal 2001-02 of some $7.8 million from the robots and peripherals.
The robot is mounted on hidden wheels but appears to move by walking. It can also play a simple game of blocks or pour a glass of water. It has a built-in personal handy-phone system handset. The PHS service carries a base charge of about $6.90 a month. In addition to the phone-controlled model, Takara will also release a version that can be operated from a distance by radio control.