I tell you about humanoid robots. I will leave the "mainstream" things
out just because everybody saw it. So no ASIMO, Honda P-Series etc.
Let's focus on most interesting developments.
Again, wikipedia definition is very good to begin with:
"
A humanoid robot is a robot with its overall appearance, based on that
of the human body, allowing interaction with made-for-human tools or
environments. In general humanoid robots have a torso with a head, two
arms and two legs, although some forms of humanoid robots may model
only part of the body, for example, from the waist up. Some humanoid
robots may also have a 'face', with 'eyes' and 'mouth'. Androids are
humanoid robots built to aesthetically resemble a human.
"
Now you know the definition, you want to see some action. Let me tell
you about most advanced NASA achievement on this field.
Robonaut 2 (R2) is a state of the art highly dexterous anthropomorphic
robot. Like its predecessor Robonaut 1 (R1), R2 is capable of handling
a wide range of tools and interfaces, but R2 is a significant
advancement over its predecessor. R2 is capable of speeds more than
four times faster than R1, is more compact, is more dexterous, and
includes a deeper and wider range of sensing. Advanced technology
spans the entire R2 system and includes: optimized overlapping dual
arm dexterous workspace, variable stiffness series elastic joints,
extended finger and thumb travel, miniaturized 6-axis load cells,
redundant force sensing, ultra-high speed joint controllers, extreme
neck travel, and high resolution camera and IR systems. The dexterity
of R2 allows it to use the same tools that astronauts currently use
and removes the need for specialized tools just for robots.
Walking is maybe the most difficult thing for robots to achieve.
Bi-pedal walking is about dynamical balance. Since all of you probably
seen ASIMO I will not show it to you. Instead I found something
spectacular for you:
Jumping robot.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cgo7RZZqrXM&feature=related
What could be harder than that? Perhaps riding a bike in extreme
conditions? I admit, I cannot do, what this robot can, can you?
Japanese company Murata Manufacturing created a bicycling robot to
show off some of their various sensors. The robot named Murata Boy is
equipped with four types of sensors: two gyro sensors used to detect
angular velocity and inclination; an ultrasonic sensor to detect
obstacles; and a shock sensor to detect rough surfaces.
http://www.murataboy.com/en/about/img/image.jpg
so I have show you HUMANOID ROBOTS, don't they look human? Watch this:
This are ANDROIDS, they are design to look like humans..
Fears and concerns about robots have been repeatedly expressed in a
wide range of books and films. A common theme is the development of a
master race of conscious and highly intelligent robots, motivated to
take over or destroy the human race. (See The Terminator, Runaway,
Blade Runner, Robocop, the Replicators in Stargate, the Cylons in
Battlestar Galactica, The Matrix, THX-1138, and I, Robot.)
Let's hope we will not loose control over them some day.
Read more:
http://www.murataboy.com/en/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robonaut
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASIMO
The one riding on the bike is my favorite :)
ReplyDeleteSome time ago I've seen a televison miniseries James May's Big Ideas. One episode was about robots. I can highly recommend you watching it. Take a look on a part where James is testing ASIMO - http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=P9ByGQGiVMg
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ReplyDeleteHumanoids are making a really big impression on me, soon it will be virtually impossible to distinguish them from a man just by the appearance.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately I do not see any application for such humanoids, because I do not see any benefit from the creation of our visual clone. Human body is imperfect so why limit robots?
However, the robot riding a bicycle is an amazing thing for me and a milestone. He made a tremendous impression on me.
Rafal: I totally agree with you ;)
ReplyDeletebtw how are you?:P
I watched THX-1138 and didn't notice any robots, where were they?
ASIMO is kind of robot I dream about. I prefer it look than androids you present. Androids seems strange and little scarry to my. But I must agree with Krzysztof that robots whitch doesn't copy human body are more usefull than humanoids.
ReplyDeleteI think that robotics will combine powers with genetics soon. For example there are so many posibilities to test new artificiall skin, or bone replacements. And robots are first ones to test them. Many specialisty work as hard as they can to reproduce face mimics and artificial skin, it's very close to plastic surgery i think.
ReplyDeleteI have seen most of this videos, but this one on a bike... It's totally outstanding. After seeing him riding through this s-type road, I have no more questions :) Well, maybe except how they achieved such a great balance for this cyclist? It seems unbelievable. And why making robots look like people? To use them i.e. as a concierge or other kinds of jobs that require good-looking person with not much tasks to do.
ReplyDeleteAnd why making robots look like people?
ReplyDeleteThis is interesting question. To make them familiar? to make people less afraid about them? to make people understand them better?
This are the ideas, but it can go quite opposite. When I think about our future robots-slaves I would really like them to have some visible sign that they are robots. When my lover is a robot I need her to look like human, but I still want to have some kind of assurance that I am not gonna fall in love with something that won't be able to return my feelings. So yes - let's make robot humanoid, but keep them little different.