Tag: ‘Robot’

Simroid: Dentistry in the uncanny valley (video)

29 Nov 2007

Simroid --

Simroid, a robotic dental patient with an eerily realistic appearance, has been spotted at the 2007 International Robot Exhibition in Tokyo. Designed primarily as a training tool for dentists, the fembot patient can follow spoken instructions, closely monitor a dentist's performance during mock treatments, and react in a human-like way to mouth pain. Because Simroid's realistic appearance and behavior motivate people to treat her like a human being, as opposed to an object, she helps dental trainees learn how to better communicate with patients.

Simroid's body and control system was developed by Kokoro Company Ltd., creators of the Actroid receptionist robot. Like her Actroid sister, Simroid is equipped with a system of air-powered muscles and soft silicone skin. However, she has something the Actroid does not -- sensitive teeth. Thanks to a mouth loaded with sensors, she knows when her dentist-in-training makes a mistake. And to express her pain, she grimaces, moves her hands and eyes, and says, "That hurts."

Kokoro says that for an extra touch of realism, Simroid exhibits a gag reflex when instruments are inserted too far into her mouth.

Watch a video demonstration...

[Via: IT Media]

Nominees for Robot Award 2007

28 Nov 2007

Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has announced its shortlist of finalists for the 2007 Robot Award. The nominees include 9 robots in three categories (service robots, industrial robots, and public sector robots), as well as 4 robot-related items in the components/software category.

Here is a list of the robots by category (details for each robot are provided below):

Service robots
- MR Image-Guided Surgical Robotic System
- LEGO Mindstorms NXT
- HOAP
- miuro
- Robotic Blood Sample Courier System

Industrial robots
- M-430iA Robot Arms
- Pharmaceutical Container Replacement Robot

Public sector/frontier robots
- Endovascular Surgery Simulator - EVE
- Fire-Fighting Robot

Robot components/software
- HG1T/HG1H teaching pendant
- OpenRTM-aist-0.4.0 RT middleware
- Harmonic Drive Systems' mini AC servo actuators
- ORiN open network interface for robots/factory automation equipment

METI established the annual Robot Award last year to recognize outstanding developments in the field of robotics, to encourage further research and development, and to stimulate demand. The 2007 Robot of the Year will be selected from these nominees, and the results will be announced in late December.

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SERVICE ROBOTS

- MR Image-Guided Surgical Robotic System

MR Image-Guided Surgical Robotic System --

Kyushu University
Hitachi, Ltd.
Hitachi Medical Corp.
MIZUHO Co., Ltd.
University of Tokyo
Waseda University

This endoscopic surgery support system uses a high-precision robotic surgical clamp that moves like a tiny (1-cm diameter) human hand, while magnetic resonance images (MRI) provide real-time navigation during surgery. Able to outperform the human hand and eye, this system brings an unprecedented level of accuracy and safety to endoscopic surgery. The system is still in the research and development phase, but its effectiveness has been confirmed in 8 liver cancer treatments performed between April and September 2007.

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- LEGO Mindstorms NXT

LEGO Mindstorms NXT -- The LEGO Group

The LEGO Mindstorms NXT kit includes programmable bricks with electric motors, sensors, and Lego Technic pieces (such as gears, axles, beams, and pneumatic parts), which can be used to construct robots. As a fun learning tool that helps students develop creativity and gain hands-on experience building robots, Mindstorms NXT stimulates interest in technology and improves communication and problem-solving skills. Over 1,000 educational institutions in Japan (25,000 worldwide) use Mindstorms NXT in the classroom, and over 100,000 children from 35 nations participate in LEGO robot competitions each year.

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- HOAP (Humanoid for Open Architecture Platform)

HOAP (Humanoid for Open Architecture Platform) -- Fujitsu
Fujitsu Laboratories Limited
Fujitsu Automation Limited

The HOAP (Humanoid for Open Architecture Platform) series of mini-humanoid robots are used by researchers to develop new robot applications. The 60-cm tall HOAP is equipped with a microphone, camera, sensors for maintaining posture and position, and simulation software used to check operations programs beforehand. Full disclosure of hardware and software interface information makes HOAP a complete, open architecture robot enabling anyone to develop their own software algorithms. Since the first version of HOAP became commercially available in 2001, 129 units have been sold to an assortment of Japanese universities, research institutes and companies. HOAP's use as a research vehicle has helped accelerate the pace at which bipedal humanoid robots are being developed. [More]

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- miuro

miuro -- ZMP Inc.

Miuro -- short for "Music Innovation based on Utility RObot technology" -- is a network audio robot that plays music from a docked iPod or from a wirelessly connected computer. Gyroscopes and acceleration sensors enable miuro to follow you from room to room and dance while blasting tunes through speakers developed by Kenwood. Miuro promises to help create a new market for devices that combine robotics and audio technology. To further develop the market, ZMP plans to begin selling a limited-edition model at the Apple Store in December 2007 and release a low-cost version next year.

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- Robotic Blood Sample Courier System

Robotic Blood Sample Courier System --

Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.

Matsushita's Robotic Blood Sample Courier System consists of autonomous mobile robots working as a team to perform blood sample delivery and courier tasks at hospitals and laboratories. A group control computer assigns various tasks to individual robots who pick up blood samples, deliver them to automatic analyzers, and collect the samples after testing. An automatic battery charging system enables the system to work around the clock by preventing all the robots from running out of power at the same time. At present, 17 robot systems are working at hospitals and laboratories, where they are helping to improve the reliability and efficiency of operations. [More]

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INDUSTRIAL ROBOTS

- Food/pharmaceutical handling system with M-430iA robot arms and visual tracking

M-430iA robot arms --

FANUC Ltd.

This robotic food and pharmaceutical handling system features a visual tracking system and a pair of multi-axis robot arms that each can accurately pick up 120 items per minute as they move along a conveyor belt. The arms can work non-stop 24 hours a day, are resistant to acid and alkaline cleaners, and feature wrists with plastic parts that eliminate the need for grease. The sanitary design provides the cleanliness required of machines tasked with handling food and medicine. With a proven record of success in reducing manufacturing costs and improving quality, about 150 systems have been sold to manufacturers worldwide since October 2006. [More]

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- Pharmaceutical Container Replacement Robot

Pharmaceutical container replacement robot -- Tsumura & Co.
Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd.

This autonomous robot is capable of navigating tight spaces at factories for the purpose of transporting containers used in the pharmaceutical manufacturing process. The robot can automatically connect itself to large containers (or cases packed with products) weighing up to 200 kilograms (440 lbs) for transport. The robot only needs to be charged once per day, it can be freely programmed and customized to suit the manufacturing process, and it is safe and easy to use on existing production lines. Three robots are now working on production lines at a pharmaceutical factory, where they have reportedly boosted productivity by 30%. More are scheduled to go online soon.

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PUBLIC SECTOR/FRONTIER ROBOTS

- Endovascular Surgery Simulator - EVE

Endovascular Surgery Simulator - EVE -- FAIN-Biomedical Inc.
Nagoya University

EVE, the Endovascular Surgery Simulator, is a robot patient designed to help train physicians in the art of catheter surgery, a cutting-edge technique in the treatment of some vascular conditions. Built on technology developed at Nagoya University's Fukuda Lab, EVE uses computer scans to recreate a specific patient's blood vessels to an accuracy of 0.01 mm. Complete with a pulse and artificial blood circulating through the system, the robot patient provides a safe and realistic environment for training physicians in the use of catheters and other endovascular devices, while eliminating the need for animal tests. EVE also monitors the progress of mock operations and provides verbal and visual feedback to the surgeon. The simulator also provides catheter producers a convenient way to evaluate and exhibit their products. [More]

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- Fire-Fighting Robot

Fire-fighting robot -- Komatsu Ltd.
IVIS, Inc.
I.DEN Videotronics
CyVerse Corp.
Maruma Technica Co., Ltd.

This remote-control fire-fighting robot goes where its human comrades cannot, and its relatively compact size makes it ideal for combating blazes in urban environments. An array of 8 high-resolution wide-angle cameras provides a panoramic view of the surroundings, and a multi-channel control system allows 10 fire-fighting robots to be deployed simultaneously. Special nozzles that are 10 times more powerful than those on conventional fire hoses allow the robot to blast flames with 5,000 liters of water per minute. The Tokyo Fire Department now has two robots on call, with more to be deployed in the future, as needed.

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ROBOT COMPONENTS/SOFTWARE

- The HG1T/HG1H teaching pendant by IDEC Corporation is a user-friendly tool for programming robots.

- The OpenRTM-aist-0.4.0 RT (robot technology) middleware, developed by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) and the Japan Robot Association (JARA), is recognized for contributing to the development of an open robot architecture based on the modular construction of element robot technologies such as actuators, sensors and control programs.

- Mini AC servo actuators developed by Harmonic Drive Systems are recognized for their superior performance.

- ORiN software developed by Denso Wave, Inc. is recognized for contributing to the creation of an open network interface for robots and factory automation equipment.

[Source: Robot Award 2007]

EMIEW 2, the (not so) agile robot helper

22 Nov 2007

EMIEW 2 -- Hitachi has unveiled an office worker robot named "EMIEW 2," which is a lighter, more compact and more sophisticated version of Hitachi's 1st-generation EMIEW (Excellent Mobility and Interactive Existence as Workmate) robot developed in March 2005. The robot was demonstrated on November 21 at the company's Mechanical Engineering Research Laboratory, where it was supposed to show off its ability to greet visitors, guide them through the office, retrieve documents and carry drinks. Apparently, however, things did not go as planned.

According to this AP report, the large amount of lunch-break traffic on the research center's wireless network interrupted EMIEW 2's communications, causing it to crash into a desk during the demonstration. The robot had to wait until after lunch break to perform its routine.

When operating properly, however, EMIEW 2 can respond to spoken commands, move around on two wheels at a speed of 6 kilometers per hour (4 mph), and safely weave its way through crowds of humans -- just like the original EMIEW. But while its predecessor stood 1.3 meters (4 ft 3 in) tall and weighed 70 kilograms (154 lbs), EMIEW 2 is only 80 centimeters (31 in) tall and weighs 13 kilograms (29 lb), which is light enough to allow the robot's adult female co-workers to lift and carry it, Hitachi says. EMIEW 2, which appears to have been modeled after a youngster wearing a red hat and outfit, sports a more childlike appearance than the 1st-generation model.

Other new features include a unique pair of Transformer-style legs that allow the robot to crouch on its knees and roll around on an extra set of wheels for greater stability, as well as the ability to lift its feet 3 centimeters (1.2 in) off the ground to step over small obstacles. In addition, a built-in radar system allows the robot to map its surroundings and understand its own position in relation to other objects in the room.

Hitachi developed EMIEW 2 as part of the Project for the Practical Application of Next-Generation Robots organized by NEDO (New Energy and Industrial Development Organization), which aims to encourage the development of robots that can coexist with humans while providing support in real-world situations. But judging from the real-world situation that occurred at the demonstration, Hitachi still has a bit of work to do.

EMIEW 2 --

[Sources: Sankei, Hitachi]

Ladybug robot cleans restrooms

21 Nov 2007

Lady Bird toilet-cleaning robot -- On November 21, a group of small- to medium-sized venture companies based in western Japan unveiled an autonomous ladybug-shaped robot designed to clean public restrooms at highway rest areas.

The 1-meter (39-inch) tall, 1.35-meter (53-inch) long prototype robot -- named "LadyBird" -- is equipped with water tanks, brushes and other tools needed for heavy-duty scrubbing. Obstacle detection sensors allow the robot to safely perform its duties without running into people.

In addition to cleaning, LadyBird can engage in simple conversation with restroom users, thanks to microphones in its "antennae," speech recognition capabilities and a voice synthesizer. The robot has access to the latest information about traffic conditions on nearby roads, which it can relay to anyone comfortable enough to ask.

The developers, who are building LadyBird for West Nippon Expressway Company Limited (NEXCO), aim to complete the machine by March 2009, and they hope to one day see it cleaning toilets at hotels and other institutions. Lady Bird robots are expected to sell for about 3.5 million yen ($30,000) each.

[Source: Yomiuri]

Robot goat feeds on gambler misfortune

02 Nov 2007

Goat robot --

Unlucky gamblers at the Edogawa Kyotei boat race course in Tokyo have a new way to ease their frustrations after botching a bet -- they can feed their losing tickets to a robotic goat. Edogawa Kyotei enlisted the help of the ticket-munching robo-goat at the end of last month in an effort to reduce litter inside the facility. The 1.6-meter tall Rocky Mountain goat, which has a thick coat of white fur and ticket-detecting sensors in its mouth, devours about 500 tickets per day -- many of which would otherwise end up on the floor. The goatkeeper says, "It eats up your frustrations so that you will have better luck with the next race."

[Source: Asahi]

Android acquires nonverbal communication skills

25 Oct 2007

NICT develops robot with nonverbal communication skills -- As Japan's population continues to age and shrink, more and more people are looking at robots as a way to improve productivity and support the nation's changing lifestyles. With human-robot interactions on the rise, and with the recognition that much of human communication is nonverbal, researchers at Japan's National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) have developed an autonomous humanoid robot they say can recognize and use body language.

According to an October 24 press release, NICT drew from research in neuroscience, cognitive science and psychology to create an android that relies on body language -- i.e. gestures and touch -- to facilitate natural and effective communication with humans. When used in conjunction with (or instead of) spoken communication, the robot's body language aims to simplify communication with people likely to have trouble interacting with robots, including children, the elderly, the computer-illiterate, and people who speak other languages. NICT researchers hope the technology behind the droid's "universal communication" skills will one day be put to practical use in robots that can work in the home or assist with rescue operations when disaster strikes.

The droid's body language skills are due in large part to technology that allows it to observe, recognize and remember human behavior. NICT's robot learns body language by watching -- much like children, who learn nonverbal communication by watching others -- and it can mimic the observed behavior with natural human-like motions. The robot also creates 3D maps of each body it observes, and it commits the map to memory. These maps allow the robot to remember how people and their bodies look, even when viewing them from different angles. In addition, the robot is equipped with delicate force control mechanisms that allow for precise motion and safe physical interaction with humans.

NICT's press release is sketchy on the details about what exactly this robot is capable of doing. Can it learn to dance? Will it slap you on the back with the proper amount of friendly force when you tell a funny joke? Will it gently caress your shoulder when you're feeling blue? Does it avoid eye contact in uncomfortable situations? NICT will hopefully answer these questions and more at the robot's official unveiling on October 29.

[Source: NICT press release]

U-Tsu-Shi-O-Mi virtual humanoid

12 Oct 2007

U-Tsu-Shi-O-Mi Virtual Humanoid --

U-Tsu-Shi-O-Mi is an interactive "mixed reality" humanoid robot that appears as a computer-animated character when viewed through a special head-mounted display. A virtual 3D avatar that moves in sync with the robot's actions is mapped onto the machine's green cloth skin (the skin functions as a green screen), and the sensor-equipped head-mounted display tracks the angle and position of the viewer's head and constantly adjusts the angle at which the avatar is displayed. The result is an interactive virtual 3D character with a physical body that the viewer can literally reach out and touch.

U-Tsu-Shi-O-Mi Virtual Humanoid --

Researcher Michihiko Shoji, formerly of NTT DoCoMo, helped create U-Tsu-Shi-O-Mi as a tool for enhancing virtual reality simulations. He is now employed at the Yokohama National University Venture Business Laboratory, where he continues to work on improving the virtual humanoid. The system, which currently requires a lot of bulky and expensive equipment to run, will likely see its first real-world applications in arcade-style video games. However, Shoji also sees a potential market for personal virtual humanoids, and is looking at ways to reduce the size and cost to make it suitable for general household use.

Here is a video of U-Tsu-Shi-O-Mi.

The virtual humanoid will be on display at ASIAGRAPH 2007 in Akihabara (Tokyo) from October 12 to 14.

[Source: Robot Watch]

WAO-1: Face massage robot

10 Oct 2007

WAO-1 face massage robot -- On October 9, professors Atsuo Takanishi of Waseda University and Akitoshi Katsumata of Asahi University unveiled an oral rehabilitation robot, called "WAO-1" (Waseda Asahi Oral Rehabilitation Robot 1), which is designed to help treat mouth, jaw and facial disorders by performing therapeutic face massages. In November, the developers will begin clinical testing of a prototype robot -- built by dental X-ray equipment manufacturer Asahi Roentgen -- on patients in Yokohama.

Equipped with two 50-cm (20-inch) arms that protrude from a chair-sized aluminum box, WAO-1 performs massages by pressing the patient's face from both sides. Each arm's position and angle can be precisely controlled, as can the direction of the pressure applied to the face. WAO-1 also relies on a complex system of software and fuses to ensure the pressure does not exceed a certain level, and it is equipped with a "torque limiter function" that allows the arms to bend back should the robot begin to exert too much force. Much of WAO-1's control technology, which can also be found in humanoid robots, is the product of Takanishi's well-known work on robots that walk and express emotions.

While the parts for the prototype cost about 8 million yen ($70,000), Takanishi says the robot is cost-effective because it can be used to massage other body parts and perform other tasks like hold a patient's mouth open during treatment.

Facial massage, which is known to combat dry mouth because it stimulates salivation, is used in the treatment of various mouth and jaw disorders. An estimated 10 million people in Japan are believed to suffer from oral conditions such as dry mouth and temporomandibular joint disorder -- a condition that makes it painful to open the mouth, which is sometimes caused by stress or age. WAO-1's creators, who are confident they can develop a commercial version soon, hope the robot can take advantage of the lack of skilled practitioners in this high-growth area.

[Sources: Fuji Sankei, Yomiuri]

TPR-Robina: Toyota’s guide robot

22 Aug 2007

TPR-Robina, Toyota tour guide robot --- Toyota's new guide robot, formerly known as 'DJ Robot', has officially been named TPR-Robina, according to an August 22 Toyota press release.

Photos reveal a slightly more professional look (no more scowling eyes) to go along with the droid's improved ability to avoid obstacles and operate autonomously, while agile, jointed fingers enable TPR-Robina to grasp writing utensils and sign autographs. Further, in addition to being able to communicate using words and gestures, the 60-kg, 1.2-meter tall robot has an image recognition system that allows it to read visitors' name tags so that it can tailor its directions accordingly.

TPR-Robina will begin working as a receptionist and guide at the Toyota Kaikan Exhibition Hall on August 27.

[Source: Toyota press release via Carview]

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