Japanese researchers have designed an electronic secretary - a computer that can recognise and talk with its owner and perform duties such as taking messages.

The ministry of international trade and industry has unveiled the system - consisting of a PC, a combined camera and a microphone which is programmed to recognise human voice.

The machine does not need an input command: it greets you, saying ""Hello, Mr Smith!" and a face appears 6n the screen showing one of its 6 pro'grammed facial expressions, including smiling, moody or angry. If the system is not used for a long time, the face on the screen goes to sleep.