A humanoid robot which could be transformed into a futuristic worker was put through its paces at the launch of a new informatics centre in Scotland yesterday.
Researchers at Edinburgh University's Informatics Forum believe that the "mini man machine" - standing just over a foot high - could be developed into a robotic carer for Scotland's ageing population, or even a firefighter.
Scientists demonstrated its ability to walk and even do press-ups for First Minister Alex Salmond as he opened the flagship centre for informatics in the capital.
A robotic hand prosthesis, being developed by university experts in collaboration with Scottish company Touch Bionics was also on display.
The £42m centre will provide a base for around 500 scientists to carry out world-leading work in areas such as virtual reality, robotics and e-science - and to turn developments into commercial successes.
Mr Salmond said: "I am delighted to officially open this new centre of excellence. It will advance Scotland and the University of Edinburgh's position as a world leader in the new science of informatics and it will also have enormous benefits to both industry and commerce."
The forum was financed by the Scottish Government, the Wolfson Foundation and university alumni among others. It also received funding from Scottish Enterprise.
Linda McPherson, Scottish Enterprise operations director, said it would make a "significant impact" on Scotland's future economy.
Edinburgh University's School of Informatics is already the top computing science school in the UK and one of the leading four of its kind in the world.
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