Colleges seek to remake campus tours

[Sally_Rubenstone]

<p>Or here’s another tour option from today’s Chronicle of Higher Education …</p>

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August 27, 2009, 10:00 AM ET</p>

<p>Robot Gives Tours at National Taiwan U.
By Marc Beja</p>

<p>After giving a campus tour of National Taiwan University, the guide needs to recharge – literally.</p>

<p>Engineering students have created a robot that can give guided tours around the university, both outdoors and inside a campus museum, the university says.</p>

<p>The robot, which is about three feet tall, uses GPS and a laser sonar system that helps it avoid obstacles. A student programs a pre-established route using wireless remote controls.</p>

<p>The robot, named Hsiao Mei by the students who created it, also uses cameras in its eyes to tell where people are and respond to them, and has some facial expressions, according to Network World. The robot can also show video clips on its monitor.</p>

<p>Hsiao Mei, which cost approximately $9,000 to build, will be giving tours around campus this year.

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