RIDC-01

During a press preview in Tokyo on Nov. 26, 2005, Yoichi Takamoto, president of Japanese robot maker Tmsuk, unveils a new floor-cleaning robot, "RIDC-01," which can recognize human voices and speak. The robot, which is just over 4 feet tall and weighs about 220 pounds, is also equipped with a projector on its head that can be used to show DVD movies or display other information. Tmsuk will start selling the bot for 10 million yen ($85,000).

December 1, 2005 12:48 PM PST