Dec 30 2010
The 3'5"-foot tall robot, has been inspired by President Benigno Noynoy Aquino III. It can greet people with "magandang araw”.
It can also say "po" and "opo”, and thank you with the words "maraming salamat”. It can shake hands in the Filipino traditional ‘pagmamano’.
It was conceived by students of e Dr. Yanga's College in Bulacan, who won a gold medal at the World Robot Olympiad held in Manila in November 2010. The students believe the robot will help make their country more attractive to tourists. The robot has been named after the country’s president, who the students believe is the first citizen to promote tourism in their country.
The robot can also greet foreign tourists in English, Spanish and Korean. The small screen on its chest guides the tourists on tourist spots in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Once the robot is fully developed, its designers plan to position it at airports and other strategic spots frequented by tourists.
Source: Dr. Yanga's College