Artificial Intelligence and Robotics blog
The HRP-4 humanoid robot unveiled
Kawada Industries and the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) have unveiled their new humanoid robot HRP-4 which is an upgrade on their older robots. The new humanoid stands 151cm tall and is much thinner than its predecessors. For Japan, HRP-4 is another step forward towards creating useful mechanical worker to combat a forthcoming shortage in the labor force and care for a fast aging population.
Other than terrestrial uses, let me remind you that the Japanese also plan on developing humanoid robots for exploring the Moon.
Going back to HRP-4, we should note that it is not a machine developed just for nice demos. Its creators are serious about making it available commercially to universities and other research institutes that can afford its $300,000 price tag. According to the recent press release, HRP-4 will go on sale as early as January 2011. I should mention that the HRP-4 will sell for $100,000 less than Willow Garage’s PR2. However, the price difference probably reflects that other than the obvious difference between the two robot, i.e., legs versus wheels, there are many differences in the number and types of sensors, overall hardware, and software.
Time will tell if the humanoid HRP-4 will be a success or not. In the meantime, we can all marvel at its slim design and skills in the video below.
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about 2 years ago
The flexibility and range of motion of this robot is very impresive.
about 2 years ago
But does it run Crysis
about 2 years ago
And will it blend?
about 2 years ago
I, for one, welcome our new robotic overlords.
about 2 years ago
Striking poses is one thing, actually interacting with the real world is another ball game.
about 2 years ago
Autobots…TRANSFORM
about 2 years ago
1 step closer to the future but,
for that 300K pricetag, replace that rear screen with an iPad (copyright Apple and such things) like device, make sure its detachable and can be given by the robot to humans. Please keep a wireless connection going.
My utmost respect to the inventors & builders of this technological piece of art. Both hard & software!
about 2 years ago
Pretty nice, but still pretty rigid. I want a Mekabot with SEAs
about 2 years ago
When do the sexbots come out?
(and can I program her to go get me a beer?)
about 2 years ago
Wasn’t Skynet supposed to become sentient right about then?
Will these things come with a phased plasma rifle in the 20 megawatt range?
about 2 years ago
What is going on with these tiny little humanoid robots? I thought the Japanese were into like super Mecha-Godzilla sized creations. I want my Mechwarrior Live Action games. With PPC. And a sandwich dispenser….
about 2 years ago
What a surprise. 80% of the comments are simple parrotings of pop-culture catch phrases. Let’s see what’s left…
“Danger! Danger, Will Robinson! Does not compute!”
First-time visitor (via /.), and last time reader.
Back to your Cheetos and Mountain Dew, retards.
about 2 years ago
It’s trolls like you that are ruining the internet. You complain that people are posting meaningless pop culture catch phrases, and you had the nerve to mention that you came from /.! And you spout off even more vapid BS and then run away. Were you expecting a complex discussion about the current state of robotics research? You wouldn’t understand it anyways, you don’t even understand simple internet courtesy protocol.
about 2 years ago
OK think about this practically merge this with Kinect and an Xbox 360 and it can respond and learn etc… ok maybe not the best to go use Xbox as parts for it but use the concept behind it and you’ll have made the first interacting robot….
about 2 years ago
I wonder what their military grade robots can do…
about 2 years ago
Can you f*ck it? No, Awwww (For all you Robot Chicken fans
)
about 2 years ago
droid does!
about 2 years ago
one day this will be like the original Apple I
about 2 years ago
That sound makes me think blind people won’t be in danger of being run down by one of these.
I shrunk back from the screen when it did its full-stretch thing, I thought it was going to leap into the press pack and tear everyone limb from limb.
about 2 years ago
“I thought it was going to leap into the press pack and tear everyone limb from limb.”
As someone with a very low opinion of the free world’s journalists, I am going to treasure that mental image for many years to come.
about 2 years ago
Ohh so thats why the Sepertists from Starwars have slanted eyes
The future robot warrior in tan. It can bust a move also.
about 2 years ago
Neat. There are other robotics teams making non-humanoid robots that are arguable more advanced than this japanese offering, but the Japanese are seriously committed to robotics, for their healthcare, space and military(Can we discount the possibility?), and its advancements in fine movement and other poses shown in this video that should remind other countries (cough US) why a research budget should be on par with a defense budget.
I’ll be honest though. I’m disappointed that we got the Mr. Olympia posing robot – I would have liked to see it use its hands to grasp something, would have liked to see quicker movements, and would have liked to have seen the other robots on the back platform activate and start a Mortal Kombat right there at the PR bonanza.