Nerdy Science Blog

Actroid is a humanoid robot which closely resembles humans in physical appearance. It is developed by Osaka University and manufactured by Kokoro and Advanced Media. Actroid has strong visual human-likeness with limbs, torso and even facial expressions. These are controlled by a system of actuators powered by pneumatic pressure mechanisms. Once programmed, she is able to strategize her motions and gestures with her voice. It can mimic many lifelike functions like blinking, smiling, speaking, breathing etc. This stylish robot has thin arms and a wider range of expressions. With smooth walking ability, it can easily be confused for an actual woman. This good looking robot can understand 40,000 phrases in four different languages. The skin appears extremely realistic and is composed of silicone. Robot’s servo motors and most of the computer hardware units are powered externally. With firm support this humanoid can either sit or stand. Actroid’s can communicate by speaking with humans on an elementary level. These have in built microphones which record the speech of a human, this sound is then filtered and background or external noise is removed. Speech recognition software has been incorporated which then converts the stream of audio signals into words and sentences. This can then be processed by the Actroid’s processor. Response is given through speakers attached to the external to the unit. Interactivity is also enhanced through non-verbal methods. Actroids use directional vision sensors to maintain eye contact with the speaker. To a rudimentary level the robots can respond to body language and tone of voice and change their own facial expressions, tone etc according to the situation. This robot can even learn human like motions from different people if they appear before it with reflecting dots attached to their bodies in key positions. With its visual system this robot tracks these dots and makes its joint and limb movements to match with it, thus learns the motions. It also imitates human-like behavior such as the acts leaning, tilting head, breathing etc. Human-like presence of these robots is so effective that in the future these can be used it to teach in classes. Another glorious fact is that she can also perform rap music.

Bioloid is a very powerful system from Robotis. It is primarily an educational robot. Many advanced features have been incorporated into it. This package is also very user friendly. This kit can be used to develop a variety of robots from it for e.g. a humanoid biped, multi- legged robots, a wheeled robot, quadruped puppy robot, spider robot, dinosaur robot all are products of this simple kit. The Bioloid Kit comes with some powerful GUI-based software along with a very advanced hardware system. Since it is based on open source platform research related studies are possible via this kit. These can be used for entertainment, education and research purposes alike! The robot is constructed such that the user can make it complex or simple as per his wish. This 19 cm tall robot is a fun to work on. Smart actuators and serially controlled sensor-equipped servos make it one of the best available kits in the market. The servos also provide the user easy access to sensory feedbacks like position, speed, temperature information. The robot is so designed that they are capable of switching quickly between positions. Spare parts and accessories compatible with this kit are also available so that the user can further customize and upgrade this version. The most stunning and diverse feature of Bioloid Comprehensive Kit is that it allows you to build a 26 robots and further customize them. It is truly excellent package. These have simpler programming interface and are considered one of the easiest robot in the world to assemble. And this complete kit comes for just $3500 dollars. With just one controller board this has interchangeable robotic platforms. Servos communicate to this controller board through serial connections. Two software utilities come with the Bioloid kit- Motion Control Editor (GUI that enables frame by frame motion building) and Behavior Control Program (GUI that enables block programming sequences of events/motions). Thus Motion Editor generates the robots motion sequences and Behavior Control Program implements it. It can be programmed using C in Microsoft Windows. Flexible construction system and graphical programming software has put this unique model in high demand.

HRP-2m Choromet robot is a highly advanced and efficient robot when compared with other robots in the market. Priced at 498,750 yen it was developed by General Robotix Inc. and Moving Eye Inc. Currently the sales are restricted to Japan. HRP-2M Choromet is a 35cm tall robot. This unique robot has some amazing functionalities like 3D vision and object recognition. This robot developed in Japan can perform realistic dance steps and also tasks like opening the refrigerator. Flexibility of this robot comes from the 20 servos incorporated in it which give it 20 degrees of freedom. The HRP-2m Choromet can stand on one leg, lie down and even stand-up all by itself. This model has a gyro sensor, acceleration sensor and an Ethernet port for connectivity. The robot is specially designed to support the basic AIST software including the OpenHRP package. Complexity of Choromet is due to many sensors which enhance the features of this robot. In addition to accelerometer and gyroscope sensors in its trunk, its feet include special triaxial force sensors (on each leg). This large number of sensors enables it to be programmed using feedback loops. Choromet has wide range of motions like walking, waving, running, sitting etc and also has the ability to lie flat on its back or on its face, and then stand up again. Choromet’s CPU is SH-4(SH7751R) running at 240MHz (with 32 MB RAM and 32 MB Flash ROM). What distinguishes this 1 1/2 pound humanoid robot from others is that it runs on ART-Linux which is a hard real-time Linux ( developed at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology).

This fish won’t turn into delicious sashimi on your table unless you are Bender from Futurama.  This robotic sea bream is named ‘Tai-robot-kun’ and approximately 7 kg.  It is developed by Professor Ikuo Yamamoto, University of Kitakyushu as an underwater survey robot.  I wonder if the Japanese will develope a robotic whale or not.

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