Toyota develops robot for household chores

Not quite Rosie the Robotic Maid, but close...

27 October 2008 16:33 GMT / By Amy-Mae Elliott

Toyota Motor Corp and a research body of the University of Tokyo have created a household robot.

The prototype handles household chores and has been designed to combat the predicted labour shortage that's said to be due to hit as a result Japan's aging population and low birthrate.

In a demonstration for reporters the robot cleaned up rooms, "smoothly put away dishes from a dining table and picked up shirts and put them in a washing machine."

The robots measures 155cm, and weighs 130kg. It has two arms, five recognition cameras and laser sensors and gets around on wheels - so presumably not designed for those with stairs in their home.

The research team have said they will keep improving the robot and hope to start marketing it in around seven years' time.