New Hitachi Robot Rolls Around, Crashes

By YURI KAGEYAMA, AP Business Writer, Electronic Devices / Robotics

Hitachi Ltd. humanoid robot EMIEW 2 performs during a press preview at its research center in Hitachinaka, north of Tokyo, Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2007. The 80 centimeter (31.50 inch) tall 13 kilogram (29 pound) toddler-like robot, designed to work as a guide and run errands in offices, rolled around on two wheels or four wheels and waved just fine in a demonstration upon receiving commands from a personal computer by a new remote wireless control function, only to crash into a desk over a wireless glitch -- highlighting the enormous hurdles robots must overcome to become real-life partners. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)

(AP) -- Hitachi's new toddler-like robot rolled around and waved for reporters Wednesday, only to crash into a desk and demonstrate the challenge of turning automatons into everyday helpers.

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