The King of Innovation

The King of Innovation

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Self-taught Chinese inventor Tao Xiangli looks up at his robot, named "The King of Innovation," at the home they share in an old, residential area of Beijing.

Tao built the mammoth machine using scrap metal and electronic wires that he bought from a second-hand market, and it can perform simple movements with its hands and legs, and also mimic human voices.

. BEIJING, China. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

Tao completed his creation in less than a year, with production costs and living expenses amounting to 300,000 yuan ($49,037).

However, the robot, which measures 2.1 metres (6.9 feet) in height and 480 kg (1,058 lbs) in weight, turned out to be too tall and heavy to walk out of the front door of his house.

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Slideshow

Chinese inventor Tao Xiangli checks his self-made humanoid robot.
. BEIJING, China. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

Chinese inventor Tao Xiangli checks his self-made humanoid robot.

Xiangli looks for usable parts in a pile of scrap materials at a bicycle shop in a second-hand market near his house.
. BEIJING, China. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

Xiangli looks for usable parts in a pile of scrap materials at a bicycle shop in a second-hand market near his house.

He controls his robot using switches on its back.
. BEIJING, China. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

He controls his robot using switches on its back.

Xiangli checks the robot, which is powered by mains electricity.
. BEIJING, China. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

Xiangli checks the robot, which is powered by mains electricity.

"The King of Innovation's" eyes glow.
. BEIJING, China. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

"The King of Innovation's" eyes glow.