Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. said Monday it will accept orders from Sept. 16 to Oct. 31 for the Wakamaru humanoid robot for home use.
MHI said it plans to sell 100 of the humanoid robots at 1.58 million yen each, including consumption tax, initially for residents of Tokyo's 23 wards. It will select buyers by lot if too many people place orders.
Wakamaru, 1 meter tall and 30 kg in weight, is powered by rechargeable batteries and moves on wheels. It can work as a "secretary," memorizing owners' schedules and announcing appointments. It can also serve as a "watchdog" by alerting homeowners in the event of a break-in, the company said.
MHI said it is the first time that a robot with this level of communications will be sold for use at home. It hopes to establish a new market by gauging the reactions and demands of the buyers.
Customers can place orders for the robot at three locations, including MHI's head office in Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo. The robot can be test in advance of purchase by making a reservation via the Internet or phone, it said.