Japanese temp agency hires out robo-receptionists

"That new girl has got, like, nooo personality"

13 July 2007 10:09 GMT / By Amy-Mae Elliott

People Staff Co, a Japanese temp recruitment agency has launched a unique service for its clients that aims to address the area's worker shortage.

"Rental humanoid robots" developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, are available on a hire-basis to work as receptionists at offices and hospitals.

The Wakamaru robot, originally developed by Mitsubishi as a home companion, can identify visitors, have simple conversations and take visitors along preset routes - while singing a song.

The cost for one of these fantastic rentals is from £500 a day or you can hire one for a whole year for £12,000 which the temp agency are keep to point out is about the same amount as a human receptionist's salary.

Apparently the company's first-year target is to acquire ten rental contracts, which seems like a modest amount considering how downright cool having a robo-receptionist would be.