Cell Phone Activated Robot Announced

Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd. announced that it has developed MARON-1, a small robot that can operate home appliances with infrared remote controls through its owner's cell phone, which is voice activated. MARON-1 can also provide home security by taking pictures with its two cameras, with the pictures then displayed on the cell phone screen. Only about 1 cubic foot in size, MARON-1 rolls on wheels and uses Microsoft's WinCE 3.0 Operating System. It sports a touchpad, an LCD monitor, an arm that rotates and two cameras. Fujitsu Labs reportedly will release additional details about its robot technology at the upcoming Japan Robot Conference held at Osaka University on October 12th.