This article was taken from the October issue of Wired magazine. Be the first to read Wired's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by subscribing online
Next-gen humanoids will provide care for ageing populations, take over as tour guides and empathise with us. Wired meets the research teams developing the new wave of advanced semi-sentient androids
Robot #1: Asimo (above)
Maker: Honda Motor Co Ltd
Prototype: 2000/2005
Height: 130cm
Weight: 54kg
Cost To Build: Confidential
Key Movements: Walking, Running, Pushing
Asimo is an ongoing project for Honda's R&D department. The first prototype was completed in 2000; the second generation arrived in 2005. Three research teams -- in Europe, Japan and the US -- are working on it. "The European team has added the capacity to recognise families of objects," says William De Braekeleer, from Honda Europe. "So now, after showing Asimo a few chairs, it learns how to recognise all chairs."
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Robot #2: Hrp-2 (above)
Maker: "Promet", Kawada Industries, Aist
Photo location: Utsunomiya, Japan
Prototype: 2002
Height: 130cm
Weight: 54kg
Cost to build: confidential
Key movements: Walking, dancing, Recovering from a fall
HRP-2 (Humanoid Robotics Platform Two) was built in only a year as part of a research project into robot movement and AI. There are now ten of the robots in Japan and France. "It has 30° of freedom in its hip area, meaning it can walk, crawl and dance," says Shuuji Kajita, senior researcher at the Humanoid Research Group. HRP-2 will be rented out, and its interface opened up, so that researchers can develop their own software.
<img src="http://cdni.wired.co.uk/659x425/o_r/Robot_03.jpg" alt=" 262810"/>
**Robot #3: Kobian Robot (above)
Maker:** Takanishi Laboratory, Waseda UniversityPhoto location: Tokyo, JapanPrototype: 2008Height: 140cmWeight: 63kgCost To Build: $300,000Key Movements: Programmed postural and facial displays of emotion
Kobian combines tech developed for the earlierWabian-2R humanoid robot, which could emulate human walking gaits, and the WE-4R robot head, which can express programmed "emotions" with its face. It can also "feel" with sensors in its rubberised hands.
Kobian's creator, Atsuo Takanishi, says his goal is to create a robot that can have a two-way understanding with humans -- but through movement rather than likeness.
Robot #4: Murata Boy (below)
Maker: Murata Head Office Building, Nagaokakyo-Shi
Photo Location : Kyoto, Japan
Prototype : 2005
Height: 50cm
Weight: 5kg
Cost to build: 20,000,000 ¥ (£148,000) For two prototypes
Key Movements : Cycling, Balance
A gyro sensor under his seat allows Murata Boy to ride his bicycle. He uses it to detect imbalances, and reacts by generating force to counter the wobble.
This means he can stay upright even when stationary and cycling up inclines.
The ultrasonic sensor mounted in his chest helps him manoeuvre around obstacles without toppling over. Murata added a Murata Girl prototype in 2008 -- she rides a unicycle.
<img src="http://cdni.wired.co.uk/659x425/o_r/Robot_04.jpg" alt=" 262811"/>
Robot #5: REEM-B (below)
Maker: Pal Robotics, Barcelona
Photo Location: Barcelona, Spain
Prototype: 2008
Height: 140cm
Weight: 60kg
Cost To Build: Confidential
Key Movements: Talking, Face Recognition, Autonomous Navigation, Lifting Weights
REEM-B can walk while carrying up to 13kg, the record for a humanoid robot. It uses mics, stereoscopic cameras and sensors to gauge depth and map REEM-B's surroundings. It can also recognise individuals by their voices and faces. PAL Robotics's eventual aim is for REEM-B's descendants (REEM-C is currently in development) to be available for sale or rent as autonomous service robots.
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Robot #6: Robot Arm (below)
Maker: High Tech Campus 5
Photo Location: Eindhoven, The Netherlands
Prototype: 2010
Height: 70cm
Weight: 4kg Cost to build: €1,500
Key Movements: Opening Doors, Pouring A Drink And Administering To Patients "The robot arm we developed is a proof of competence, not a product itself," says Carlo van Pelt, from Philips Applied Technologies. "We developed the arm to show what's possible when you combine different technologies in a smart way."
The company's next goal is for it to be used in factories and hospitals, and to help an ageing population with everyday domestic tasks, such as opening doors and cleaning.
<img src="http://cdni.wired.co.uk/659x425/o_r/Robot_06.jpg" alt=" 262813"/>
Robot #7: Geminoid H1-1 (below)
Maker: ATR Intelligent Robot I C &
Communication Lab
Photo Location: Kyoto, Japan
Prototype: 2006
Height: 140cm
Weight: 70kg
Cost to build: 30,000,000 ¥ (£220,000)
Key Movements: Imitation Of Human Actions (Twitching, Speaking Etc)
Geminoid (right) is a replica of its creator Hiroshi Ishiguro (left), down to the hair implanted on its scalp. Ishiguro is researching the importance of human likeness in our interaction with robots. Geminoid's emulation of Ishiguro includes human actions such as facial tics, but it's not yet a complete success. "When it's static, it is like looking in a mirror," he says. "But when it moves, it stops being me."
<img src="http://cdni.wired.co.uk/659x425/o_r/Robot_08.jpg" alt=" 262815"/>
Robot #8: Twendy-One (below)
Maker: Sugano Laboratory, Waseda University
Photo Location: Tokyo, Japan
Prototype: 2007
Height: 147cm
Weight: 111kg
Cost to build: Confidential
Key Movements : Picking Up And Handling Objects, Hand-Holding For Support
Service bot Twendy-One (above) communicates in a human-friendly way, making gestures and changing the coloured lights in its face to match the mood of the conversation.
It can also gauge human contact and offer the right amount of assistance - to help someone out of bed, for example.
Its creator, Sugaro Shigeki, says: "She can detect human contact anywhere on her body. This raises human emotional reactions."
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This article was originally published by WIRED UK
