Walking, humanoid robot Nuvo goes on sale in Japan

Nothing like humanoid robot news to brighten up the day (or is that just us?). The designer Japanese robot nuvo is finally going to market, at the stiff price of $5,450 (and that's just the entry-level version — add another $3K for the deluxe). The nuvo serves a dual role in the realms of home security and entertainment — two domestic spheres that go hand in hand like fishes and bicycles. The 15-inch, 5.5 pound nuvo from ZMP, Inc. walks and responds to voice commands, as well as linking to your mobile phone both to receive commands and to send you images of your home taken with the camera inside its head. That would cover the "home security" aspect, with the entertainment role being fulfilled by its ability to dance and play musical sounds. Consider the nuvo a great alternative to procreation: it's cheaper over the long haul and, considering some of the unfortunate offspring we've witnessed, potentially cuter.

[Thanks, YC]

[Cameron @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

I love the idea of these things as home security devices. 15 inches and 5.5 pounds... Punt.... no more home security device.

[frikkin robots @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

Yeah, they'd be much more effective at security if they had frikkin' laser beams attached to their heads!

[n8 @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

It doesn't sound like it does much more than a Robosapien V2 will do, or at least could do with a little hacking. Pretty expensive... are we sure there isn't a decimal place/conversion rate error somewhere?

[Tom @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

Found some videos:
http://www.zmp.co.jp/e-home.html

[Tom @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

Found some videos:
http://www.zmp.co.jp/e-home.html

[mike @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

The NUVO?

As in Nouveau..

Oh well.. I think it sounds too much like MUVO.. as in.. Creatives little WMA player that could...

[Billfred @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

Am I the only person who looked at this picture and thought "Oh, snap--MC Hammer is a robot now?"

[jem @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

home security ey?
im guessing if i was a burgler...i would be more enticed to break into the house because of that robot...common its a magnet! its not goin to scare those guys its goin to invite them in!
but hey still dam cool!

[Jordan @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

Dam, this is a fine piece of tech., even though it's kinda slow and wouldn't scare away anybody.