Robot Fabio less than fab

THERE have long been fears that machines could take over the world, but if a recent experiment involving a robot shop assistant are anything to go by, we don’t need to be too concerned just yet.

Fabio recently became the first robotic assistant to be employed by a British store, but was sacked after only a week.

The ‘‘ShopBot’’, employed by the store in Edinburgh, got off to a promising start, charming customers with high fives, hugs and greetings of ‘‘hello gorgeous’’. But Fabio began irritating and confusing shoppers at the up-market store.

When one asked which aisle the beer could be found in, the robot replied: ‘‘It’s in the alcohol section.’’

And despite his best efforts, the background noise in the busy store made it difficult for him to understand customers.

He was moved from the aisles to a sampling role but became too enthusiastic when handing out tasters of pulled pork, which alarmed customers. He also struggled to move around the shop fluidly.