World Business Quick Take

Yoshiko Sakamoto sits on the prototype model of the ''WL-16.'' PHOTO: AFP

■ Robotics
Bipedal robot uinveiled
Japanese researchers yesterday unveiled the world's first two-legged walking robot capable of carrying a human being, which many hope could prove a boon to wheelchair-bound people and help move heavy goods on uneven land. The prototype robot, codenamed WL-16, took two years to develop in a joint project involving the Science and Engineering Department of Tokyo's prestigious Waseda University and robot-maker tmsuk, based in the southern Japanese city of Kita Kyushu. The battery-powered robot, basically an aluminium street cafe chair mounted on two sets of telescopic poles bolted to flat plate "feet," can move forwards, backwards and sideways while carrying an adult weighing a maximum of 60kg.

■ Philanthropy
Gates are No. 1 benefactors
Microsoft Corp chairman Bill Gates and his wife Melinda rank as the No. 1 philanthropists in Business Week magazine's second annual list of benefactors. The list also includes Dell Inc chief executive Michael Dell and his wife, Susan; PeopleSoft Inc chairman David Duffield and his wife, Cheryl; and former EBay Inc executive Jeffrey Skoll, the magazine said. Microsoft, based in Redmond, Washington, is the world's largest software company. Gates, the world's richest man, doubled his donation to prevent the spread of AIDS in India to US$200 million.

■ Macroeconomics
Japan confirms recovery
Japan's ever-cautious central bank yesterday confirmed what many economists have long been saying: the world's second largest economy is recovering thanks to robust exports. "Japan's economy is starting to recover gradually ... [and] is anticipated to continue recovering, albeit at a moderate pace," the Bank of Japan declared in its monthly report on recent economic and financial developments for November. "Exports are increasing and capital investment continues a gradual recovery," said the bank, although adding that housing construction remains sluggish and consumption is weak.

■ Music Industry
EMI offers rival bid
EMI Group PLC, the world's third-largest music company, said it had been notified that Time Warner Inc's board was considering a rival bid for Warner Music Group, the media giant's music unit. "Time Warner has tonight informed us that they are now considering a possible proposal from another party as an alternative to our own firm offer," EMI chairman Eric Nicoli said Thursday in a statement. The British company behind acts like Radiohead, Kylie Minogue and Norah Jones has reportedly offered Time Warner about US$1 billion in cash plus a stake of about 25 percent in a merged company for the music division of Warner Music Group. Time Warner's board met Thursday to discuss EMI's bid and an estimated US$2.5 billion offer from an investor group.