Hitachi robot to help people in public facilities

April 12, 2016

Hitachi is developing a robot that can help people in public facilities like airports and hospitals. Jun Hongo in The Wall Street Journal reports that the robot, called Emiew3, can communicate with humans in four languages.

Centralized software will analyze questions and formulate responses. Emiew3 weighs 33 lbs. and can travel at 3.7 mph. It can pick itself up if it falls over.

Emiew3 could offer competition to SoftBank’s Pepper, on sale since last June. Pepper has reportedly found work as a salesclerk in a cellphone store in Tokyo, where it speaks only Japanese.

Hongo reports that Emiew3 will go on sale to businesses (not consumers) in 2018 at undisclosed price.

About the Author

Rick Nelson

Contributing Editor

Rick Nelson is a technical journalist who has served as executive editor of Test & Measurement World, chief editor of EDN, and executive editor of EE-Evaluation Engineering. He has also contributed to publications including Vision Systems Design and Electronic Design, and he has participated in many live panel discussions and webcasts. Rick has also held systems-engineering and product-development positions at General Electric and Litton Industries. He received his B.S.E.E. degree from The Pennsylvania State University.