NEC’s (Japan) range of “Partner-type Personal Robots”, or “PaPeRos”, are designed for maximum interaction with humans. The Papero Childcare robot has been specially adapted with two (stereoscopic) camera “eyes” to recognize surroundings and faces, eight microphone “ears” to detect and recognize speech – even from multiple sources – and mobile-phone connectivity that allows PaPeRo to stay in touch with the absent parents. It can also speak with a 3,000-word vocabulary and react to touch via nine sensors. Children in the care of PaPeRo wear an ultrasonic transmitter and wireless microphone, allowing the robot to track their positions at all times.http://www.21stcentury.co.uk/robotics/papero.asp http://www.incx.nec.co.jp/robot/english/robotcenter_e.html
