Gizmodo: humanoid

KOBIAN Emotional Humanoid Robot: Mime of the Future?

Odelia Lee — Thu, 21 May 2009 22:00:00 EDT

By adjusting its posture and wiggling its eyes and lips, this plucky android conveys several emotions. From the looks of it, they run the gamut from joy to absolute disgust. More pics after the jump.

I find it curious that KOBIAN is being developed for use in care facilities such as nursing homes. I'm not sure how much of this dramatic little robot the elderly (or anyone else) can handle. [Nikkei Net via Pink Tentacle]

i-Sobot Tiny Humanoid Robot Now Just Tiny $100

Kit Eaton — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 07:24:10 EST

iSobot may no longer be the world's smallest bipedal humanoid robot, but it's still amazing, and it's had an amazing price cut too: Last year when it debuted it was over $300, now it's just $100. At that price you could practically afford a small army of them, give them a suitable evil make-over and re-enact the Orc battle scene from the end of Lord of the Rings on your dining table. Or something. [Hammacher via BotJunkie]

Robocup 2008 Droids Cooperate Like Real Soccer Team, With Fewer Hissy Fits

Kit Eaton — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 05:22:00 EDT

Miniature humanoid robots are getting more impressive by the day: this video shows the Darmstadt Dribblers team in action in the recent 2008 Robocup. And if you notice, they're really playing like proper autonomous soccer teams. It's the first year that three-on-three playing action has happened, and thus required some nifty role negotiation and info exchange over Wi-Fi. That's in addition to avoiding obstacles, finding the ball visually and trying to score goals. Okay, so that opposing team needs a better goalie, but at least watching this robotic version of the beautiful game means you get to see less diving and hissy fits at the referee. Impressive stuff, no? [YouTube.—Thanks Stefan]

REEM B Humanoid Service Robot May Give ASIMO A Run (Ok, Stroll) For Its Money

Kit Eaton — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 05:01:14 EST

Spanish company PAL Technology's ultimate goal is to develop a humanoid service robot, and REEM B is the latest prototype they've produced. The robot can navigate autonomously around buildings, identify and interact with people and objects and carry heavy weights. He may not be as nippy or sleek as Honda's ASIMO—his top speed is just under one mile an hour—but he's stronger than the latter, as you can see in the video.

REEM B's hands can perform some pretty sophisticated movements, even if he looks a little wobbly climbing stairs. The robot can recognise voice commands, maps the surrounding environment automatically and operates for two hours on one battery charge.

The demonstration of him lifting 17 lbs of water makes ASIMO's efforts with a paltry tray of coffee seem pretty weak, doesn't it? In fact, REEM B can lift up to 25% of its own weight. While he's clearly got some way to go until he can operate as a robot maid/butler, it seems that my dreams of a future tended by robot servants may not be so far-fetched. [New Launches]

U-Tsu-Shi-O-Mi Lets You Reach Out and Touch a Virtual Friend

blongo3 — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 17:30:29 EDT

U-Tsu-Shi-O-Mi is a system that lets you both see and touch a virtual humanoid. Developed by Michihiko Shoji, it works by combining a head mounted display with a creepy green sensor-laden robot. As you interact with the bot, not only will it react accordingly, but you'll be able to see the virtual buddy via the HMD instead of just the weird green person in front of you. Oddly enough, Shoji believes that one of the best applications for this technology could be with arcade games. We don't even want to think of what kind of creepy arcade game would require a tangible humanoid robot. [Robot Watch via Pink Tentacle]

The I-Sobot in Action

blongo3 — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 14:50:32 EDT

Tomy's I-Sobot may be the world's smallest humanoid robot, but how does he move? Kind of like your dumb tubby friend from high school. He has stupid one-liner comebacks to many of your comments, "awesome" dance moves, karate actions that definitely leave something to be desired and he even loves playing the air guitar. If after seeing this video you still want one I-Sobot will go on sale next month for $299. [Makezine]

Asimo Robot Can Now Fetch Coffee

tgrumet — Tue, 13 Dec 2005 06:42:48 EST

Just one year after we watched Honda's Asimo humanoid robot run around and try not to trip over chairs, things are looking up for the little guy. Looks like Asimo has graduated to office work, meeting and greeting visitors and of course, fetching orange juice and coffee for visitors. Rumour has it he can also push a cart, walk straight, sideways or even backwards. Way to go, buddy! Basically, Honda has added more joints and flexibility to the robot as well as myriad technologies such as advanced sensors, image/voice recognition and other stuff Honda ultimately hopes to use in its core automotive business. I don't know how bowing deeply and bringing tuna sandwiches to a meeting is going to help with new cars, but I'll leave it to the professionals.

There are tons of HDTV videos of Asimo in action—see the list after the jump...

Product Page
[Thanks Bram!]

New ASIMO Running at 6km/h (00:35) video

New ASIMO Turning on the Spot (00:22) video

New ASIMO Greeting Passers-By (00:24) video

New ASIMO Walking with a Tray (00:31) video

New ASIMO Operating a Cart (01:26) video

New ASIMO Running while Cornering (00:57) video

New ASIMO Exercising (00:44) video

New ASIMO Walking Hand-in-Hand (01:16) video

New ASIMO Receiving and Delivering a Tray (01:15) video

New ASIMO IC Tele-Interaction Card (00:25) video

New ASIMO Interaction with Distancing (00:44) video

New ASIMO Interaction with Recognition (00:22) video

New ASIMO in an Office (01:03) video

New ASIMO Pushing a Cart (05:21) video

New ASIMO Running at 6km/h (Slow Motion) (00:26) video

New ASIMO - Comparison of Running Speed (00:20) video