News

A robot that functions as a nurse, friend and security guard has been launched in Japan as a home aid to older people living alone.

The Wakamaru, the idea of electronics giant Mitsubishi, will go on sale in April next year for £5,000.

The one metre tall creation patrols the home using cameras embedded as eyebrows to provide 24-hour help and alert hospitals or security firms if a problem arises.

It also reminds its owner when to take medicine, eat and sleep, and has a 10,000-word vocabulary so it can form simple sentences.