Toshiba boffins in Japan have unveiled "ApriPoko" a talking, voice-operated, universal remote control robot.

It seems the 5-pound, 11-inch-tall ApriPoko can detect infrared beams from home cinema remote controls and "learn" the operations.

So, if the robot picks up a beam, he will ask you what you just did, if you reply "I changed to Channel 4" he will learn that action and in future you just tell the robot "change to Channel 4" and the little android will do it for you.

Just in R&D stages at the moment, Toshiba is apparently planning to bring the helpful little fella to the consumer market soon.

>> Via - akihabaranews
>> And - Engadget