Prototype pooch at your command

Click through gallery of the Robodog

LONDON, England -- What inventors claim is the world's largest and most sophisticated four-legged automaton is set to give man's best friend a run for its money.

The prototype pet can understand and respond to verbal commands, see in colour and read out e-mails using a permanent wireless Internet connection.

On the more playful front, the Labrador-sized Robodog -- or RS-01 -- responds to being stroked, can walk, perform tricks, sit up and beg and is strong enough to carry a five-year-old child on his back, inventor Nick Wirth claims.

A former Benetton team Formula One designer, Wirth led a design team at Roboscience which developed the "dog" in seven months with a six-figure sum he and a partner put up.

A litter is now planned, with handmade pooches expected to sell for upwards of £15,000 ($21,500).

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But Wirth said the main purpose has been the creation of a new generation of robots to challenge the smaller electronic pets sweeping Japan, which he says are clever toys, but not serious robots.

"Potential applications are in domestic robots, special effects, industrial robotics and high risk commercial and military environments."

He added that robots need to be big, not six inches (15cm) tall, to carry out the mundane chores which many people dream of escaping and much more manoeuvrable than previously.

"Our environment is adapted to us as humans and legged body-forms are the best," said Wirth.

"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."

He said the RS-01 -- made of kevlar and carbon fibre, light and strong materials used for racing cars - has taken the form of a dog because it was not intimidating for people around the house.

But this dog still requires a bark in its byte, said Wirth: "He can't bark yet, it hasn't been one of our priorities, though we can program that into the next ones easily if it's required.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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