Korea launches Kibot robot to play with children

Korea's KT Telecommunications Company launched the robot on April 20 with children.

With a height of 20cm, the robot named Kibot has the funny face of a monkey and his body has a control panel. Kibot can read books, sing, play electronic games and run around with flashing cheeks and swaying heads.

Kibot is suitable for children from 3 to 7 years old. He or she can tell simple sentences like: ' I'm playing ,' or ' I'm very happy .'

Parents can control the robot remotely with their mobile phone as well as view their children through images transmitted from the camera mounted inside the robot. They can also call their parents via an electronic card attached to the robot's face.

Seo Yu-Yeol, head of KT's domestic sales division, said: " Kibot will be a true friend of the children because they can touch, watch and play with Kibot. '

In 2010, South Korea launched a project to produce 30 robots teaching English to students. The government has pledged to invest 100 billion won in the pilot project within three years.