CHINA: Self-taught Chinese inventor to tinker at the the Shanghai Expo

Record ID: 401794

  • Title: CHINA: Self-taught Chinese inventor to tinker at the the Shanghai Expo
  • Date: 18th April 2010
  • Summary: BEIJING, CHINA (APRIL 14, 2010) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF ROBOT PULLING ROBOT INVENTOR WU YULU IN RICKSHAW LEGS OF ROBOT WALKING AND PULLING RICKSHAW VARIOUS OF ROBOT WALKING AND WU SITTING IN RICKSHAW (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) ROBOT INVENTOR WU YULU SAYING: "My advantage is that I am not really cultured, I am just a farmer. But I was still invited to go to the Expo and prese
  • Embargoed: 3rd May 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: China
  • Country: China
  • Topics: Science / Technology,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
  • Reuters ID: LVADAR4HJR68EYSYLS49UDV0M6NC
  • Story Text: Self-taught Chinese inventor Wu Yulu has a passion for tinkering, which has brought him and his robots worldwide fame and a slot at the World Expo in Shanghai.
    Wu, who is to present a handful of bespoke robots specifically for the Expo along with dozens of his old favourites, says he is proud to represent his own brand of Chinese pioneering spirit at the international event.
    "My advantage is that I am not really cultured and I am just a farmer. But I was invited to go to the Expo and present my creations. Even though it was just me who was invited, I represent all of China's farmers. I think this is something very glorious," said Wu.
    Born to a family of farmers, Wu was never interested in taking up the family trade, preferring to fill his farm in Mawu village on the outskirts of Beijing with over 40 home-made whirring, ticking and talking inventions, that he refers to as his 'sons'.
    Wu and his automatons have become a local success, they have appeared in countless local and international TV shows and news articles. But he is all too familiar with minor catastrophes, ranging from an exploding battery that left him with concussion to managing to burn down the family home.
    Wu says his inventions have brought him confidence, once shy and reserved Wu no longer hides away from the limelight and is happy to discuss his peculiar knack for creating hopping, bowing and swinging toys.
    "By using one mechanical engine I can make them do various complex movements. As for mechanical engines, they only revolve. So the point is how do you create many intricate movements through the simple revolutions of a mechanical engine," he said.
    Wu has high hopes for the Expo, he dreams of robots that can help disabled people, work in the kitchen and even give massages, which he says are all possible if he can find a suitable backer willing to support an eccentric inventor.
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