This cute robot isn’t a toy, it’s an office worker. The EMIEW 2 is supposed to serve as a guide for visitors, or run errands. During a demonstration for reporters, someone asked where Mr. Nakamura was. The robot responded, “I will take you there. Follow me,” in a “boylike” voice. The ultra-light robot can roll on two wheels, or kneel to scoot along on four. It can also raise its foot one inch to step over an obstacle. But the prototype had some bugs when Hitachi unveiled it yesterday. During the demo, the robot’s wireless signals tangled with wifi and cellphone traffic, causing it to run into a desk. Image by Yoshikazu Tsuno for AFP/Getty Images.
