Toyota Introduces Its Violin-playing Robot

It seems that Japanese automakers are not only competing in terms of vehicle models but are also rivals in the field of robotics. If Honda (producer of high quality Acura CL brake booster) has the ASIMO, Toyota has come up with a robot that can play the “Pomp and Circumstance” on the violin.

Toyota has introduced its musically inclined 5-foot-tall-all-white robot last Thursday. The robot’s mechanical fingers are precisely programmed to press the right strings while its other arm was used for bowing. The movements were perfectly coordinated allowing the robot to effortlessly play the violin.

This robot-playing-violin is not the first of its kind, Toyota has previously shown robots that can play the trumpets and roll around working as guides. According to Toyota President Katsuaki Watanabe robotics will be an important part of the company in the coming years. Toyota will also create robots for used at hospitals, for its facilities and for other places where robotics may be applied. The automaker is also hoping to put what it calls as partner robots to real use by 2010.

Mr. Watanabe has told reporters at the Toyota showroom in Tokyo, “We want to create robots that are useful for people in everyday life.” He further stated that it is not that surprising for the company to venture into robotics since it’s a natural extension of the automaker’s robots used in manufacturing and in the development of auto-related technology such as the use of artificial intelligence for the sensors and pre-crash safety systems.

Toyota has also given a glimpse of what the future holds in terms of new technology like the wheelchair like “mobility robots” that are designed to offer “bed-to-bed” services to people especially the elderly and the sick. Actually the concept used for this technology was derived from cars that take people “door-to-door”.

If you are to compare Toyota with the other automakers that are involved in robotics as mentioned Honda with its ASIMO, Hitachi Ltd., Fujitsu Ltd., and NEC Corp.–Japan’s biggest seller of automobiles is a late bloomer. Just take Honda for instance which has started working on robots since 1986 believing that such technology would play an important role in delivering mobility in the future. Its ASIMO robot an acronym for Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility or simply “legs” in Japanese was first offered in the year 2000 for rental. It is also one of the most advanced humanoids in the world considering the fact that it can do primary body function such as walk, jog, wave, evade obstacles, and can even carry on simple conversations.

The ASIMO also looks like a real-life child dressed in a white space-suit. This remarkable advancement made on the ASIMO is what Toyota would like to surpass and to achieve this goal the company is working with universities to speed up research and development on robotics.

In addition to robots, Toyota is still continuing its research on biofuels while Honda is expanding its other business such as its jet and motorcycle units.

Robotic Weight Loss – Can You Lose Weight with a Robot?

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This robotic fitness aid – created by Intuitive Automata – is the latest in the list of robotic softwares that have been produced to help you lose weight.

Dubbed ‘Autom’, this friendly little robot works primarily by tracking your calorie intake and workout routine, whilst offering consistent words of support to keep you striding towards obtaining your dietary losing weight.

And studies of Autom are becoming increasingly positive…

During a study between slimmers who use their iPhones to monitor their eating habiting, to those who tried Autom; Autom users doubled the length of their diet. Essentially the difference between being described as a yo-yo dieter to achieving your perfect size…

How does it work?

Built using a modicum of artificial intelligence, dieters essentially input the quantity of food they consume and how often they workout every day, and Autom monitors their weight loss, supplies helpful techniques and provides consistent phrases of guidance.

Yet, it is not all good news…

Soon to be available to buy across the US at the end of the year; slimmers will have to cough up up to $400 to buy, as well as have to find an additional cost to be able to afford the monthly subscription that will help them to input their weight loss information through other technology or via the Internet.

More notably, whilst this humanoid robot has been witnessed to help slimmers to stick to their weight loss plan for twice the length, there is no long term proof that this weight loss will remain.

Artificial Intelligence and Robotics

To be able to create a synthetic being that could do the mundane chores of our every day lives, has been a goal for us humans for not just the last 20 years, or the last century, but as far back as the ancient Greeks. In 350 BC, the Greek mathematician Archytas built a steam powered mechanical pigeon, that could fly. In 1495, Leonardo Devinci designed what looked like a mechanical Knight. In 1801, Joseph Jacquard built an automated loom, that was controlled by punch cards. The punch cards being likened to a modern day computer program, that told the loom how to work. These are but a few examples of robotics and automata of old. To find more, a simple web search with “history of robots” will bring up a plethora of information for the budding technologist.

When a person is first presented with the term artificial intelligence, they, as long as they have at least a minimal idea of the meaning, immediately conjure up the view of subservient humanoid robots, doing our household chores, policing our streets, or taking on our enemies in a combat zone. These, although being worked on, are quite some way from being a reality. Although, there are robot vacuum cleaners, and automated (robotic) missiles and vehicles to name but a few, but none of any consequence in human form.

There are many hurdles to be crossed before humanoid robots will become common place, not least of all, the mostly negative psychological effect realised by many who our uncomfortable with a visually realistic humanoid automaton.

Walking on two legs, which us humans take for granted, had the problem of balance to solve, and has only recently been mastered, as represented by mechanoids such as sony’s Asimo. And running, although done fairly well by Asimo, still needs a good amount of work before being able take on a human athlete on a running track.

Emulating the human senses has provided computer scientists and engineers with many an obstacle. Mastering sound, vision, touch and taste have been met with varying degrees of success. Sound and visual recognition has come along in leaps and bounds in recent years, and has given us fully automated weaponry that is able to track a target, and hit it with pin point accuracy. Voice recognition has given us voice activated devices such as those used in security systems, and the ability to dictate to a computer and have the computer generate the text from a person’s verbalisation. Special sensors can be used to test (taste,touch) surfaces, chemicals, gasses etc. and analyse them.

The ability to reason with an automated device or robot, is one area that is a long way from being a reality, but an area that has had, and will have many devotees. There are two main branches of research when dealing with artificial intelligence and robotics, the first being the creation of a truly thinking and reasoning artificial life form much like the robots and computers found in fiction, such as Robby from the film The Forbidden Planet, or Data from Star Trek The Next Generation, or the boy from the film Artificial Intelligence. These, for now, are somewhat whimsical, but should never be given up on, and with future advances in technology will at some point become a reality. The other branch is the more realistic approach to making use of the byproducts of the artificial intelligence research, that can be put to use in our day to day lives. This side has brought us the computer and the parts that make up a computer (e.g. integrated circuitry – chips). Automated weaponry and security systems. Automated vehicles and craft, such as spy planes, and trains. Communication systems, such a mobile/cell phones and satellites. In fact, just about every electronic device that is made contains some sort of automation, including cars, vacuum cleaners, gym equipment, buildings, street lighting… to name but a few.

All in all, we would not have the gadget filled electronics eutopia as we do now, if it was not for the people such as Charles Babbage, Alan Turing, and Steve Wozniak, to name but a miniscule number,  who pursued their dreams and as a result positively contributed to the world’s knowledge of artificial intelligence, robotics and computing.

Honda Unveils Latest Asimo Robot at La’s Consumer Electronics Show

In California: Honda, the world’s creator of the first ever ASIMO robot has one again made another breakthrough with their humanoid creation. Honda’s latest ASIMO was presented at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The new ASIMO has been upgraded and was given a streamlined of new design. Honda’s ASIMO is now more agile and is capable of quick movements – such as running nearly 4mph. Aside from the ability to run, the humanoid robot was also provided with artificial intelligence capabilities to further enhance human interaction.

Jeffrey Smith, American Honda Assistant Vice President was the one tasked of presenting the ASIMO during its North American Debut at the CES. And here is what he has to say about the ASIMO:

“For the first time in North America, we’re demonstrating this newest iteration of Honda’s remarkable humanoid robotics technology. ASIMO now has a revolutionary ability to run and maneuver at unprecedented speeds… Honda continues to further the development of humanoid robotics technology, believing that one day ASIMO will be a helper to people in need.”

“The new ASIMO can much better interact with and carry out commands given by people and can more effectively perform numerous new tasks including moving carts and carrying objects. The primary advancements of the newest ASIMO include:

Enhanced human Interaction- By providing ASIMO with the ability to recognize the surrounding environment through its visual sensors, floor surface sensor, ultrasonic sensor, and by an IC Tele-interaction Communication Card1, ASIMO can more autonomously interact with people. Through the coordinated use of its eye cameras in the head and the force (kinesthetic) sensors on its wrists, ASIMO can give and receive an object such as a tray. And by using these force sensors, ASIMO can hold the hand of the person and move in sync with them.

Carrying objects using a cart- ASIMO is now capable of handling a cart freely while maintaining an appropriate distance from the cart by adjusting the force of its right and left arms to push a cart using the force sensors on its wrists. Even when the movement of the cart is disturbed, ASIMO can continue maneuvering by taking flexible actions such as slowing down or changing directions.

Running- Through proactive control of ASIMO’s posture while both feet are off the ground, ASIMO can run at nearly 4 mph. In addition, running in a circular pattern at a high speed was achieved by tilting the center of gravity of ASIMO’s body inside of the circle to maintain balance with the amount of centrifugal force experienced.

The main objective of Honda in pursuing the development of the ASIMO robot is to one day create a robot that would have ability to assist those whose mobility are restricted and to replace those who are working in environments that are harmful to humans.

Facts on Honda

Honda is one of the leading producers in the world of various types of mobility products such as automobiles, motorcycles and ATVs, power products; top-of-the-line auto parts products like Civic tie rod end, marine engines, personal watercraft, and light jet. Honda has started its North American operations in the year 1959 with the American Honda Motor Co., Inc. as its first overseas subsidiary.

At present Honda is employing 35,000 associates and operates 13 major manufacturing plants. A great number of Honda products are designed and developed at Honda’s US R&D centers in Ohio, LA and North Carolina. Honda spends $16 billion annually for parts and materials for its North American operations.