Chinese scientists test a newly-invented female robot in a laboratory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing, on Aug. 4.

The unnamed robot's inventers claim she is equipped with cutting-edge technology in human-robot interaction and can respond to human voices.

Costing 300,000 Yuan (US$ 37,500) to develop, the robot has been programmed to speak the Sichuan dialect because she will be sent to the Sichuan Science Museum to act as a receptionist and tour guide. The designers hope to sell the robots next year to customers such as hotels and entertainment outlets, according to the Xinhua news agency.

(China Daily August 6, 2006)