Japanese develop world's first walking chair

[dArKeR]

Tokyo - Japanese researchers on Friday unveiled the world's first two-legged walking robot, capable of carrying a human being, which many hope could prove a boon to wheelchair-bound people and help move heavy goods on uneven land.

The prototype robot, codenamed WL-16, took two years to develop in a joint project involving the science and engineering department of Tokyo's prestigious Waseda University and robot-maker Tmsuk, based Kita Kyushu.

The battery-powered robot, basically an aluminium street cafe chair mounted on two sets of telescopic poles bolted to flat plate 'feet', can move forwards, backwards and sideways while carrying an adult weighing a maximum of 60kg.

"I believe this biped robot, which I prefer to call a two-legged walking chair rather than a wheelchair, will eventually enable disabled people to go up and down the stairs," said Atsuo Takanishi, professor at Waseda's Science and Engineering Department.

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Let me think. If I were President would I spend our money on murdering people, mines to blow up innocent children or research to help our country?