(1)Astro Boy's 'birthday' has robot makers eyeing big industry

(1)Astro Boy's 'birthday' has robot makers eyeing big industry

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese robot makers are aiming to create big business by capitalizing on the ''birthday'' April 7, 2003 of cartoon character Tetsuwan Atom, known as Astro Boy in English. ''Banryu,'' a dinosaur-shaped house-sitting robot developed by Sanyo Electric Co. and venture firm tmsuk Co., roars and flashes its eyes green when spotting a suspicious person as it ''patrols'' a room and also contacts its owner's cellular phone.

Takashimaya to hold 'birthday' exhibition on Astro Boy

Takashimaya to hold 'birthday' exhibition on Astro Boy

TOKYO, Japan - A jewel-studded robot is put for press preview by department store operator Takashimaya Co. on April 1, on the eve of an exhibition the company holds at its Nihombashi store to celebrate the birthday of cartoon character Astro Boy. In the late cartoonist Osamu Tezuka's popular science fiction story, Tetsuwan Atom, known as Astro Boy in English, was brought to life on April 7, 2003. The head and shorts of the 10-centimeter-high robot model is made of black diamonds, while rubies, emeralds and diamonds are used for other parts. The model, which is not for sale, is covered by jewels totaling 32 carats and is worth almost 100 million yen.

Takashimaya to hold 'birthday' exhibition on Astro Boy

Takashimaya to hold 'birthday' exhibition on Astro Boy

TOKYO, Japan - A jewel-studded robot is put for press preview by department store operator Takashimaya Co. on April 1, on the eve of an exhibition the company holds at its Nihombashi store to celebrate the birthday of cartoon character Astro Boy. In the late cartoonist Osamu Tezuka's popular science fiction story, Tetsuwan Atom, known as Astro Boy in English, was brought to life on April 7, 2003. The head and shorts of the 10-centimeter-high robot model is made of black diamonds, while rubies, emeralds and diamonds are used for other parts. The model, which is not for sale, is covered by jewels totaling 32 carats and is worth almost 100 million yen. (Kyodo)

(1)Astro Boy's 'birthday' has robot makers eyeing big industry

(1)Astro Boy's 'birthday' has robot makers eyeing big industry

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese robot makers are aiming to create big business by capitalizing on the ''birthday'' April 7, 2003 of cartoon character Tetsuwan Atom, known as Astro Boy in English. ''Banryu,'' a dinosaur-shaped house-sitting robot developed by Sanyo Electric Co. and venture firm tmsuk Co., roars and flashes its eyes green when spotting a suspicious person as it ''patrols'' a room and also contacts its owner's cellular phone. (Kyodo)