Hitachi's EMIEW 2 humanoid runs errands, could easily replace Michael Scott

While we thoroughly enjoyed hearing of EMIEW's (presumably) short-lived career as a hotel clerk, it looks like Hitachi's EMIEW 2 has some seriously large aspirations. In a recent demonstration in Hitachinaka, the two-wheeled robot wowed onlookers as it received commands wirelessly and happily ran office errands without too much trouble. The creation, which stands some 31.5-inches tall and weighs 29-pounds, did crash into a desk and stand motionless momentarily while being previewed, but developers didn't hesitate to inform the crowd that kinks were still being ironed out. Nevertheless, it was able to avoid obstacles while rolling about, understand and respond to human speech and move around for an hour before needing a recharge. The company refused to spill details surrounding its eventual price and release date, but we're hearing there may soon be an open spot in Scranton that this fellow could certainly fill.

[Via Inquirer]

[CMDRUSMC @ Nov 21st 2007 4:23PM]

...that's what she said.

[Benson Leung @ Nov 21st 2007 4:30PM]

Yeah... your The Office references are kind of a stretch, honestly. I don't really see the connection. Is the robot a branch manager of a struggling paper company? I don't see it.

[Bweetza @ Nov 21st 2007 4:35PM]

... no matter how hard he tried, Benson just could not find his misplaced sense of humor.

Cheer up buddy. Sit back and your chair and just smile sometimes. It's good for ya.

[Adoniteking @ Nov 21st 2007 4:40PM]

sweet robot but can we domesticate its functions like vacuum the carpet, find the remote controls, zap anyone with a few volts who think its a toy..

[Randy Pan the Goatboy @ Nov 21st 2007 4:47PM]

This rules.

[Robert @ Nov 21st 2007 5:11PM]

But can it crack "She said" jokes like Micael Scott?

[Josh L @ Nov 21st 2007 5:27PM]

How long is the charge time? If it can only run for an hour with half-hour to an hour charge times, would it really be all that useful?

[g76monte @ Nov 21st 2007 5:56PM]

i told my friend at the beginning of the season, i thought steve carrell was leaving the show, that's starting to look about right.

[webon @ Nov 21st 2007 7:51PM]

Is nobody seeing that machines are starting to take over???!!! Good Gracious God! People stop making this unholy machines already, this is why dooms day is approaching us so fast and its why you'll all deserve to die in the hands of this human like machine overlords
(cue the "I, for one welcome... rant")

[Sickmanseth @ Nov 22nd 2007 12:38AM]

I for one welcome our new non powerpoint inclined robot masters.

[Bweetza @ Nov 21st 2007 9:56PM]

Has anyone found a video on this little thing rolling around. I'd like to see how agile (or non-agile) it is. It totally reminds me of the Jetson's Rosie. Oh crap.. I just aged myself.