Robot ~ Pink Tentacle (8)

Tag: ‘Robot’

1,000 Paro robots migrating to Denmark

21 Nov 2008

PARO Mental Commit Robot --

The largest-ever migration of baby harp seal robots from Japan is about to begin, following an agreement by Denmark to purchase 1,000 of them for use in health care facilities. Paro, a human-interactive robotic seal developed by Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), has scientifically demonstrated the ability to elicit emotions, activate the mind and calm nerves in patients at hospitals and nursing homes, earning it the Guinness title of "world's most therapeutic robot." Although the well-traveled Paro now resides at welfare institutions in more than 20 nations around the world, the Danish government is the first organization to make a large-scale purchase. Denmark aims to have the Paro robots in their new homes by 2011.

[Sources: Jiji, Chunichi]

1 Comment

Photos: Robo Japan 2008

12 Oct 2008

Here are some of the friendly faces seen at the Robo Japan 2008 exhibition held at Pacifico Yokohama Hall this weekend.

Noir at Robo Japan 2008 --
Noir

The Kanagawa Institute of Technology exhibited Noir, a blue-eyed "grandchild" robot designed to communicate with and help take care of the elderly. This modified version of Vstone's Robovie-R robot can carry on a basic conversation, sing songs, and play rock-paper-scissors.

* * * * *

ReborgQ at Robo Japan 2008 -- MKR-003 at Robo Japan 2008 --
Reborg-Q // MKR-003

Security firm ALSOK showed off Reborg-Q (left), a patrolling security robot that keeps an eye out for suspicious activity in public places while entertaining the kids. Keio University's MKR-003 (right) is an autonomous robot designed to carry medical supplies around inside hospitals. The robot can map and understand its own location inside the hospital, avoid obstacles, and verbally communicate with human co-workers and hospital visitors.

* * * * *

Gray-brown Paro at Robo Japan 2008 --
Gray-brown Paro

The uber-famous Paro "Mental Commit Robot" appeared in various colors at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) booth.

* * * * *

Manoi at Robo Japan 2008 --
Manoi athlete humanoids

Kyosho exhibited their line of Manoi humanoid athlete robots. Here they are relaxing.

* * * * *

Yume-Neko Smile at Robo Japan 2008 -- EMA at Robo Japan 2008 --
Yume-Neko Smile // EMA

Sega Toys' robot toy display included the Yume-Neko Smile cat robot (left) and EMA (Eternal Maiden Actualization), an interactive mini-fembot that can sing, dance and strut like a runway model (right).

* * * * *

AYA at Robo Japan 2008 --
AYA

Robot creator SK-PANG demonstrated AYA, a stand-mounted mini-android that dances and sings tunes created with the popular Vocaloid software.

* * * * *

HASHIMOTO 3 at Robo Japan 2008 --
HASIMOTO 3

HASIMOTO 3, also created by SK-PANG, is an in-your-face entertainment robot designed to work the crowd at special events.

* * * * *

SPC?101C at Robo Japan 2008 -- i-SOBOT at Robo Japan 2008 --
SPC?101C // i-SOBOT

Speecys showcased the many talents of the SPC-101C programmable family entertainment robot (left). Takara Tomy exhibited the tiny i-SOBOT humanoid (right).

* * * * *

Lady Bird at Robo Japan 2008 --
LadyBird

LadyBird, a large, autonomous ladybug-shaped robot developed by Chinougijutsu Co., Ltd., is designed to clean public restrooms. Microphones, speech recognition software and a voice synthesizer enable the friendly robot to carry on a basic conversation.

* * * * *

Asimo at Robo Japan 2008 -- Wakamaru at Robo Japan 2008 --
Asimo // Wakamaru

Honda's Asimo (left) entertained crowds by dancing, running, kicking soccer balls and carrying drinks. Mitsubishi's Wakamaru (right) charmed onlookers with its grin and showed how Kyokko Inc.'s flexible sensor tube (FST) body suit can be used as a remote robot controller.

* * * * *

KARFE at Robo Japan 2008 --
KARFE

KARFE, an educational/comedian robot developed by Nihon Kogakuin College, told jokes to all who would listen.

6 Comments

Photos: Robots at CEATEC 2008

01 Oct 2008

Robots old and new are on display at the CEATEC 2008 home electronics trade show currently underway in Chiba, Japan.

Nissan BR23C Biomimetic Robot Car

Nissan unveiled the bumblebee-inspired BR23C Biomimetic Robot Car, which is equipped with a prototype collision avoidance system developed in cooperation with the University of Tokyo. The next-generation safety technology is modeled after the way that bees avoid crashing into each other.

* * * * *

Mechadroid Type C3 at CEATEC 2008 --
Mechadroid Type C3

The Mechadroid Type C3 receptionist robot developed by Business Design Laboratory relies on face recognition technology, a touch panel display, speech, and facial expressions to interact with visitors and guide them to their destination.

* * * * *

ifbot at CEATEC 2008 --
ifbot

Ifbot -- also developed by Business Design Laboratory -- is a speech-capable robot that can identify emotions in the voice and word choice of the person talking. The robot can also communicate its own emotions with a range of facial expressions.

* * * * *

Murata Seiko-chan and Seisaku-kun (a.k.a. Murata Boy)

Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.'s popular robot bicyclist, Murata Seisaku-kun (a.k.a. Murata Boy), was joined on stage by his recently-unveiled younger cousin, Murata Seiko-chan, who is well-balanced enough to ride a unicycle.

* * * * *

Nabaztag at CEATEC 2008 --
Nabaztag

The Nabaztag Wi-Fi Smart Rabbit manufactured by Violet is a bunny-shaped personal assistant that connects to your home wireless network.

Nabaztag at CEATEC 2008 --
Nabaztag

In addition to announcing the latest news, weather and traffic information, the rabbit can tell the time, light up when email arrives, stream Internet radio and podcasts, and respond to spoken commands.

* * * * *

Enon at CEATEC 2008 --
Enon leads the way to the wine section

Fujitsu's Enon robot demonstrated the ability to interact with customers and guide them to the wine section.

Enon at CEATEC 2008 --
Enon takes a break

5 Comments

Murata Seiko-chan robot rides unicycle

24 Sep 2008

*Updated with video:

Electronic parts maker Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd., creators of the popular Murata Seisaku-kun (a.k.a. "Murata Boy") robot bicyclist, have developed a self-balancing robot unicyclist named "Murata Seiko-chan," it was announced on September 23.

MurataSeiko-chan (Murata Girl) robot rides unicycle --

The 50-centimeter (20 in) tall, 5-kilogram (11 lb) Seiko-chan -- which Murata says is modeled after a female kindergartener -- features a pair of gyro sensors that detect her posture angle. A single wheel moves the robot forward and back, and a rotating flywheel in the chest helps turn the unicycle left and right and maintain balance. In addition to ultrasonic sensors that detect and measure the distance to potential obstacles, Seiko-chan is equipped with built-in Bluetooth capabilities and an embedded camera that transmits live video.

According to Murata's press release, Seiko-chan is described as Seisaku-kun's younger paternal cousin. Born in Shiga prefecture on September 23 (and thus a Virgo), the "active but very shy" robot enjoys practicing her unicycle skills in the park. Her dream is to cycle the world with Seisaku-kun.

In her first public appearance, Seiko-chan will ride alongside Seisaku-kun at Japan's upcoming CEATEC trade show.

(Video of cousin Seisaku-kun demonstrating his bicycling skills)

[Source: Nikkei]

4 Comments

Robot

Stretchable circuitry for soft machines

13 Aug 2008

Stretchable electronic circuit -- In a technological advance that opens up new possibilities in the fields of robotics and wearable computing, researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a stretchable, rubbery material that conducts electricity and can be incorporated into electronic devices.

The researchers -- led by assistant professor Takao Someya of the University of Tokyo -- were able to create elastic electronic circuits that could be stretched up to 1.7 times their original size without affecting performance, thanks to conductive wires made from a new carbon nanotube-polymer composite they developed.

In recent years, scientists have made advances in blending carbon nanotubes (good conductors of electricity) with polymers to make flexible conductive materials, but success has been limited because nanotubes tend to cluster together, causing the composite to harden when too many nanotubes are added. The University of Tokyo researchers were able to overcome this hurdle by mixing the nanotubes with an ionic liquid containing charged particles that keep the nanotubes evenly distributed and prevent them from clumping together. The result is a stretchable material that conducts electricity more than 500 times better than other commercially available carbon nanotube-polymer blends.

With the list of potential uses of stretchable electronic circuits limited only by the imagination, the researchers envision applications ranging from high-tech suits that enhance athletic performance and monitor the wearer's physical condition, to soft machines with flexible mechanical parts. For robots, elastic electronic circuits will enable layers of soft, sensor-laden skin to be stretched tightly across the curves of their bodies, giving them both a more lifelike appearance and greater sensitivity to touch.

The research results were published in the online edition of Science (August 8).

[Link: Yomiuri]

Robot sea bream

25 Jul 2008

Robot sea bream --

Engineers at the University of Kitakyushu have developed an underwater survey robot that looks good enough to eat. "Tai-robot-kun," a 7-kilogram (15.4 lb) robotic sea bream (red snapper) with a silicone body covered in realistically hand-painted scales, features a unique propulsion system that allows it to move its tail and drift silently through the water like a real fish. (Watch a video.)

The robotic fish can swim for an hour on a full battery charge, and it relies on a ballast system similar to those used in submarines to adjust its buoyancy and depth.

Tai-robot-kun's creator, professor Ikuo Yamamoto, says the robot can easily be mass-produced, outfitted with various cameras and sensors, and released into the sea to perform a wide range of oceanographic survey tasks. He adds that because the robot swims silently and looks like a real fish, it would be able to gather data without alarming the creatures it encounters.

Yamamoto and his team are also reportedly developing a robotic manta ray that uses some of the same technology.

[Source: Robot Watch]

4 Comments

Video: Actroid stars in TV commercial

25 Jul 2008

Actroid female robot actress --

Actroid DER-2, Kokoro's uncannily lifelike fembot, has made her acting debut in a TV commercial for Kincho's Preshower UV insect repellent/sunscreen spray. Titled "The Woman Who Doesn't Rust," the 15-second commercial spot shows Actroid outdoors at a campground, where she recommends using Preshower because, as a female, her skin is important. After a few squirts of the spray, she cheerily adds, "Surprisingly, I don't rust." (Watch it.)

*** Updated with higher quality video ***

5 Comments

Remote-control shopping robot

11 Jul 2008

tmsuk remote-control shopping robot --

Robot developer tmsuk has unveiled a remote-control robot that promises a new way to shop from the comfort of home. A prototype of the telerobotic shopper -- a modified TMSUK-4 humanoid robot that incorporates a variety of cellphone communications technology -- was demonstrated on July 10 at the Izutsuya department store in the city of Kitakyushu, Japan.

In the demonstration, an unwell grandmother unable to go shopping with her granddaughter sent the robot in her place. Using an NTT DoCoMo video-capable cellphone, the grandmother was able to control the robot and enjoy the shopping experience through the robot's camera eyes. As curious shoppers looked on, the woman maneuvered the robot to the hat section, eyed what was available on the shelf, and had her granddaughter model a few for her before deciding which one to purchase.

According to tmsuk, this innovative type of "3D communications" technology brings us a step closer to a future in which telerobotic shoppers roam the fashionable areas of cities like New York or London.

[Source: Data Max]

2 Comments

Nagasaki man busted for autonomous Digg robot

03 Jul 2008

Police in Nagasaki, Japan have arrested a man for developing a sophisticated robotic arm that uses a mouse and keyboard to autonomously Digg stories around the clock. Watch the "news report" for footage of the machine in action.

UPDATE: Ahem... In case it's not obvious (as it should be), this "news report" is intended as humor.

12 Comments

Tag: ‘Robot’

Mail