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.

Honda’s Continuing Progress With the Asimo Robot and the Honda Odyssey

Honda (producer of high quality auto parts like Acura CL EGR valve) has recently achieved another breakthrough in the field of robotics when it has successfully made two humanoid robots to work in pairs.

The demonstration was held in Tokyo where the two child-size ASIMOs were made to serve tea and do other tasks in coordination with each other. According to Honda, the new robot buddy system enables the humanoids to share information on each other’s location as well as keep track of each other’s activities.

To demonstrate the new capabilities of the ASIMOs they were made to make their way around the room while pushing a refreshment cart then picking up and setting down drink trays.

According to the automaker the upgrades that they have put on the ASIMO robots allow them to recognize drink choices and to carry a tray with the particular ordered drink. The most amazing about the ASIMO is the part where they can analyze and at the same time predict the movement of real humans enabling them to avoid getting in the way.

Dodge Minivan to Bow Down to Honda Odyssey

Aside from the ASIMO, Honda’s Odyssey is also making waves and it may grab the minivan crown from Chrysler.

It can be noted that it was Chrysler that single-handedly developed the minivan market segment with its Dodge Caravan and the Chrysler Town & Country. Since the introduction of the Caravan in the US in 1983 it has become the top-selling minivan.

But it seems that Chrysler will not be holding the minivan crown for long especially with Honda selling over 158,139 Odyssey minivans compared to the 154,824 Dodge Caravans sold in the same period that is according to data gathered by AutoData.

Chrysler’s sales suffered for 2007 because of changeover to the new version that is according to Chrysler spokeswoman Beverly Thacker. Aside from that more buyers are shifting to crossover SUVs thereby reducing further the minivan market share. The Caravan sales are now down by 21 percent as compared to the number it sold by the end of November in 2006.

With regards to total minivan sales including Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Caravan, Chrysler LLC remains to be the market leader with 279,000 units of minivans sold. But despite this fact industry analysts thinks that Chrysler need to do better than that, if it wants to keep the title as US best-selling minivan especially with Honda working hard to improve the sales of its minivans and so far it’s doing a pretty good job.

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.