Japanese robot turns iPod into ‘boombox on wheels’

Tokyo-based ZMP Inc. today introduced a new robot that’s designed to turn an iPod into “a dancing boombox-on-wheels.” The 14-inch-long robot, named Miuro, has a built-in iPod compartment and integrated speaker system from Kenwood, and receives wireless signals from a PC to play music from iTunes and other programs. It can be controlled with a handheld remote control and can also be upgraded with a camera and sensors to map out its own course. Miuro comes in white, black, yellow or red and will go on sale in Japan this week for 108,800 yen ($930). U.S. and European availability is expected in the second half of 2007.