Bangladesh: One man's trash is another man's robot

 BEIJING, Oct. 9 (Xinhuanet) -- A robot that can swab floors, pick up objects and do other simple jobs is being developed by a Bangladeshi graduate student at a fraction of the cost of other humanoids.

    Feroz Ahmed Siddiky of the International Islamic University in Chittagong says his "IRobo" has spatial intelligence, responds to voice commands and is inexpensive because it's made from scrap materials he's scavenged from electronic shops and car mechanics.

    "On completion, this robot will comply with different verbal commands for tasks like shifting objects, cleaning floors and standing guard," Siddiky told Reuters.

    "It can also be used for some risky jobs like in coal mines, where workers commonly suffer many accidents."

    Siddiky has spent two years developing the robot and says it will take one more year of engineering before it's finished. Discussions about commercial production of his creation are currently underway with an Australian software firm.

    "I hope people will be able to buy it for less than 1,000 dollars," he added.