King's College London has appointed a new receptionist on a trial basis. Called Inkha, which is short for 'interactive neurotic King's head assembly', she dishes out directions and information on upcoming events. Like receptionists across the globe, she will also comment on the weather and fashion faux pas.

She has nine motors, several hidden cameras and infa-red sensors which are all powered by a laptop computer. She consists of a head with eyes and mouth that move mounted on a plinth. What's more she will work 24 hours a day for only the cost of a bit of electricity.

A more politically incorrect website than The Green Man would be tempted to observe that Inkha

a. has a bit too much cognitive ability

and

b. lacks two important physical characteristics

to make it as a successful receptionist.

Read more in Nature here.