If Sony's line of AIBO robodogs wasn't enough to freak ordinary dogs out, Omron's new robocat, named NeCoRo, certainly will. Like the AIBO though, it will cost a bit.
Today, robots are something most often linked with doing construction related work in hazardous conditions - preferably repetitive work - that isn't suited for humans. That's far from what designer envision for our future though, where products like Sony's line of AIBO robodogs and even bi-pedal robots of which Sony, Honda and several other companies have created prototypes, will be an integral part of our everyday life with artificial intelligence that allows people to interact with them in much more advanced way.
 | The big question is; what happens when you put a NeCoRo and an AIBO together...?
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For now though, the most appropriate description of the robots that are on the market or in development would be robotoys, and there aren't many of them either. Most notable is Sony's AIBO line of robodogs, and where until now robotoy lovers have only had the AIBO line to choose from, there's now a new, furry little feline creature called NeCoRo.
Made by Omron Corp., the NeCoRo is a robot with synthetic fur giving it a feline appearance, and which like the AIBO is capable of communicating with a person via internal sensors of touch, sound, sight, and orientation. According to Omron, human action/thoughts can be perceived, and feelings/wants are generated based on internal feelings.
Using 15 actuators inside the body, the NeCoRo behaves in response to its feelings; it will get angry if someone is violent to it, and express satisfaction when stroked, cradled, and treated with lots of love. Based on its own physiological rhythms, it will express its desire to sleep or cuddle, and through living and interacting with its owner, the cat will become attached and its personality will adjust to the owner.
So, if you're a cat lover and have been waiting for a robocat to show up instead of having to go for an AIBO robodog, this acrylic-fur, four-legged, walking-and-talking (well, almost) creature could be just the thing for you. It'll just cost you 185,000 Japanese Yen - or approximately $1500 USD.
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