Phase three of the robot invasion has begun. Not content to let Honda and Toyota have all the fun, General Motors has gotten into the robot game as well. Working with NASA – all of these planetary takeovers involve space invaders after all – The General has developed "the next generation of robots and related technologies for use in the automotive and aerospace industries." Dubbed Robonaut 2, or R2 (-D2?), this second-generation automaton is a "faster, more dexterous and more technologically advanced robot. This new generation robot can use its hands to do work beyond the scope of prior humanoid machines." Throttling humanoids eerily fits into that description.

GM's interest in the R2 unit is safer plants. "The partnership's vision is to explore advanced robots working together in harmony with people, building better, higher quality vehicles in a safer, more competitive manufacturing environment," according to Alan Taub, GM's vice president for global research and development. They've obviously gotten to him already. All hope is lost. Resistance is futile. Assimilate.

Seriously though, GM's Robonaut 2 differs slightly from Honda's Asimo and the Toyota elderly-helping robot in that it seems to be intended for private use rather than retail sales.

Toyota has announced that it will halt sales of eight models due to its ongoing problems with unintended acceleration. At issue are accelerator pedal mechanisms that could get stuck in the open position due to wear, causing the vehicle to accelerate uncontrollably. Earlier this month, Toyota announced a recall of 2.3 million vehicles with the possible defect.

Late last year, the Japanese automaker recalled nearly four million vehicles for floor mats that could trap accelerator pedals, also causing unintended acceleration. The two issues are apparently unrelated, though a total of 1.7 million vehicles are affected by both issues.

The following eight models are included in the sales suspension (you can see them all in the gallery below):

* 2009-2010 RAV4
* 2009-2010 Corolla
* 2009-2010 Matrix
* 2005-2010 Avalon
* Certain 2007-2010 Camry models
* 2010 Highlander
* 2007-2010 Tundra
* 2008-2010 Sequoia

No Lexus or Scion sales have been halted, and due to the sales suspension of the above eight models, a number of manufacturing plants will be shut down for at least the week of February 1st. Click past the break for all the details on the recall and the plants being shuttered in North America.