The world’s first celebrity robot Ever-2 Muse was to debut on stage at the Robot World 2006 running from Wednesday at Seoul’s COEX, but a traumatic breakdown brought “her” big day to naught. After a photo op wrapped, Ever-2 was being escorted to the exhibition hall when a central component that handles neck movements broke down. A researcher with the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology attempted emergency CPR, but Ever-2 was not herself for the rest of the day and could only lip-synch and perform simple hand movements. The world premiere of the song “I’ll close my eyes” will have to wait till another day.

The Ever-2 robot

“During transport, an important part sustained damage, which made the exhibition of normal operations impossible,” the team led by Baeg Moon-hong of the KIIT said. “In two or three days we will finish repairs and make sure that all features can be seen.” As the younger sister of Ever-1, which debuted on May 4 this year, Ever-2 has a much wider range of expressions and movement.