A robot is currently being employed by Japanese retailer Aeon Co. to entertain children in the play area of its shopping malls in Fukuoka city. The Tmsuk-developed 'bot stands nearly five feet tall and can keep track of kids who wear special badges. It will then entertain them with limited conversation and by taking fun pictures, which the robot can display thanks to a projection unit mounted on its head.

The projection unit also serves a second, somewhat dubious purpose: displaying advertisements. While parents enjoy time away from their young ones, the robotic babysitters will no doubt be projecting all manner of sweets and awesome toys around the play area.

Aeon and Tmsuk have further plans for the robots, including acting as tour guides in the malls, which doesn't seem so unlikely considering the country already has robotic janitors and airport porters.

PhysOrg, via Engadget