Roby Mini is just 40 centimeters tall, has a large round screen for a head and has bee

n designed to help senior citizens living alone.

Manufactured by robotics company Shanghai PT Info, the brightly colored robot, which costs 5,000 yuan ($790), was launched on Aug 14 to help entertain and monitor elderly people.

In Shanghai last year, the number of registered residents at least 60 years old was 4 million. That was nearly 30 percent of the population. By 2018, the figure is projected to rise to 5 million.

With many living alone, robots such as Roby Mini can help play a crucial role in caring for the elderly. "It will change the way people interact with digital products," Hong says.

Founded in May, Shanghai PT Info had already done the groundwork. In fact, the research team spent three years developing the speech recognition system before the firm was officially launched.

With 360-degree wheels hidden under its body, Roby Mini can follow a person through face recognition and strike up a conversation, tell jokes or provide information.

The robot also works as a computer terminal, supplying weather information, ordering groceries online and even booking taxis. Roby Mini can be connected to other gadgets as well, such as smart wristbands or magnetic devices on doors.

Roby Mini can also connect an elderly owner to a doctor through its high-definition screen.Already Shanghai PT Info is talking to three community hospitals in Shanghai's Minhang district. Since the robot is linked to the Internet, it can support long-distance audio and video calls.

Mass production started this month and Shanghai PT Info plans to manufacture 200,000 units this year.

But the future is not easy for Shanghai PT Info. Earlier this year, Flyingwings Intelligent Robot Technology (Shanghai) introduced a machine with sensors that will ring an alarm when an elderly person falls down.Tianjin ShangjiuShengyuan Technology Group also developed a robot for seniors in 2014. Owners can turn on the lights and air-conditioning units by pressing buttons on the machine.It can also remind elderly owners to take pills, and inform. them of hospital checkups and family birthdays.

1. Roby Mini is the name of.{A; B; C}

A. a robotics company

B. a robot

C. a senior citizen living alone

2. Roby Mini is designed to.{A; B; C}

A. help look after children living alone in senior high school

B. help entertain and monitor senior citizens

C. change the way people interact with digital products

3. According to this passage, the number of registered residents at least 60 years old will be. {A; B; C}

A. 4 million next year

B. 30 percent of the population

C. increase to 5 million by 2018

4. The writer thinks “the future is not easy for Shanghai PT Info” because.{A; B; C}

A.there are too many elder people in Shanghai

B. Roby Mini cannot ring an alarm when an elderly person falls down.

C. the company will face tough competition in the marketplace

5. The best title for this passage is.{A; B; C}

A. How to Use a Robot

B. Elder People Increase in Shanghai

C. Robot Gives Help to Older People