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Japanese engineering giant Hitachi Ltd has unveiled a new lightweight robot that can converse while easily scooting around people. The company says that, in a first for a humanoid, the robot has convertible legs which allow it to walk on two legs or roll about on either two or four wheels. 
In a demonstration near Tokyo, Hitachi showed how the robot, clad in a red jacket and cap, could be used to bring drinks or paperwork or guide guests at an office. Standing 80 centimetres tall and weighing just 13 kilograms, the "EMIEW 2" robot demonstrates a step towards production of machines that can live with and support humans, a company statement said. Sensors on the machine enable the robot to learn the locations of objects and open spaces in an office while recognising moving people. The robot is designed to be capable of serving as a receptionist or after-hours security monitor. Hitachi is one of a number of Japanese companies which has been trying to develop humanoids to compensate for a future labour shortage in Japan, whose population is rapidly ageing but which rejects large-scale immigration. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd earlier this year started renting out humanoid robots which can recognise about 10,000 words necessary for daily life and can work the front desks of offices and hospitals. (via ABC) | 
