Robodog goes for his first public 'walkies' this week, with his British master saying the world's biggest four-legged automaton will scare off smaller robo-puppies from Japan.
As tall as a grown labrador, the artificial dog can climb over obstacles, play football, do handstands and even move like a crab. It is strong enough to raise himself off the ground with a five-year-old child on his back, its inventor claims.
The company that is holding the leash is Roboscience, set up by inventor Nick Wirth to develop the dog in just seven months with a six-figure sum he and a partner put up.
The unromantically named RS-01 can also guard its patch in the absence of its master, who can log onto the Web and monitor his home through the Webcam in the dog's eyes.
The prototype pet can see in colour, read out emails using a permanent wireless Internet connection and respond to dozens of spoken or shouted commands, preferably from his master's voice.
A litter is planned, with Robodog's handmade offspring expected to sell for upwards of US$21,500 a time, but inventor Nick Wirth said its main purpose is to prove he has made a breakthrough in design of a new generation of robots.
The former Benetton team Formula One designer says his computer on legs is bounds ahead of the electronic pet dogs sweeping Japan, led by Sony's Aibo, which he says are clever toys, but not serious robots.
He said the key was making the dog far lighter so the robot could be bigger than any before, as well as linking it to the Net using the Windows operating system.
"Our environment is adapted to us as humans and legged body-forms are the best," Wirth told Reuters.
"Wheeled or tracked robots are okay, but people aren't going to be happy with tank-like vehicles driving round their houses, not least because they'll damage the carpet."
