If you were building your own robot assistant, what's the first thing you'd teach it to do?

TG's robot would, obviously, first learn to make a fine cup of builders' tea, followed by a range of domestic chores including ironing, washing up and cleaning that difficult-to-reach bit under the rim of the toilet bowl.

Whatever your choice - and, judging by a quick office poll, there's likely to be a few sordid robot tasks out there - we're guessing you didn't plump for 'signing autographs' as one of your robot's prime duties.

But signing autographs is the party trick of the Toyota Tour Guide Robot, an autonomous 'droid built to guide visitors around Toyota's Kaikan exhibition in Japan.

It'll also move round the hall's floor without bumping into obstacles and 'verbally communicate' with people, but it's the nifty signatures that should draw the crowds.

It's all thanks to the Tour Guide Robot's jointed fingers, which we'd imagine should make it just as dextrous with a toilet brush as a pen.

But who's going to want an autograph off this terrifying-looking thing? It looks like a demonic plastic incarnation of Posh Spice crossed with a praying mantis.

We much prefer Honda's friendly Asimo, but we'd still be backing Toyota's Tour Guide in a robot fight to the death. Look at the size of those forearms...

Toyota has announced today that it will partner with Isuzu to produce a small diesel engine for the European market. The agreement will allow Toyota to take advantage of Isuzu's highly reputed diesel technology. Company officials said the 1.6 liter diesel will be available in European Toyota vehicles starting in 2012. Toyota has owned a 5.9% stake in Isuzu since November of last year.

When Toyota is brought up in conversation today, thoughts turn to the Prius and Camry. But not long ago, the Toyota brand struck a chord with automotive enthusiasts — it produced the Celica, MR2 and the 'King of the Hill' Supra. Though it's been two years since Toyota produced its last sports car — and arguably longer since the brand was last considered a sports car maker — the Japanese automaker is reportedly preparing to throw its hat back in the ring.

Last summer we revealed that Toyota was co-developing a new sports car with Subaru, but at the time, it was reported that the car would only be for Japanese consumption. However, a new report by Japan's Best Car finds that Toyota will bring the car stateside.

The report also indicates that the new model — which will be built in Gunma, Japan — will be available in two trim-levels: GT and GT-Four.

The base GT model will be reportedly powered by a 200 horsepower 2.0L Boxer-four — sourced from Subaru — which will send power to the car's rear-wheels. Additionally, Toyota has set an internal price target for the GT at under $20,000.

The up-level GT-Four will use the same 300 horsepower Boxer powerplant found in the Subaru Impreza STI, and — as the name implies — will use an all-wheel drive system. The turbocharged powerplant will also be set back in the car's chassis to improve handling.

Moreover, a hybrid variant could be in the works that uses Toyota's i-MEV electric inter wheel motors to drive the front wheels.

While the new model will share ties with the Subaru Impreza, Toyota doesn't want to go head-to-head with Subaru. Instead, the car will be offered in two-door coupe and three-door hatchback configurations.

It remains unclear if Toyota will sell the vehicle under the Toyota brand or its youth-oriented Scion brand. Whatever the case, the new model should hit the market in 2011, or even slightly earlier.