Kokonatchi Notifies You Of Incoming Tweets

Students over at the University of tokyo and Waseda University are developing a rather cute looking desktop communication robot, dubbed Kokonatchi. This little robot hooks up to your computer via a USB connection, boasts several RGB LEDs and can vibrate to notify you of new tweets or messages. Strangely enough, massaging the Kokonatchi will also allow you to reply directly to the incoming message, and you’ll be able to record up to 20 words (expandable up to 1,000 via a microSD card) in it that can be played back. They’re planning the first batch of 1,000 units to be sold at 4,000 Yen ($45) each, though a prototype will be available beforehand at 6,000 Yen ($70) each. Would you want a little gadget sitting on your desk to notify you of incoming tweets?