'Babysitter' robot iPal gives maths lessons, tells jokes and keeps China's lonely children company

Parents in China are handing over babysitting duties to robots. The £1,050 ($1,400) 'iPal' speaks two languages, gives maths lessons, tells jokes and interacts with children through a tablet screen in its chest. Engineers designed the device to act like a four to eight-year-old, becoming an extra child in the family that also helps'relieve the burden' felt by China's busy parents. The android offers education and company for lonely children and peace of mind for adults, who can remotely talk to and monitor their child through iPal's screen. A smartphone app directly links parents to the humanoid machine, allowing them to see and hear everything in iPal's vicinity.