A video of the robot mind control system shows a user being shown a card with a picture of a hand on it. After pondering his hand, the command from the user's brain is then transferred to Asimo, which acknowledges the request by raising its robotic limb. Thankfully, users are not required to wear Crocs.
(Credit: Honda)We're not just moving toward the day when robots can do everything for us. We're apparently moving toward the day when we can just think about what we want done, and get it (almost) presto.
Japan's Honda Research Institute and precision-equipment manufacturer Shimadzu on Tuesday demonstrated a rather mind-boggling technology that lets humans control a bot through thought alone--thus taking the pesky button pressing, voice commands, and remote controls out of the equation.
The system uses a black helmet fitted with sensors to measure brain activity corresponding to thought.
(Credit: Honda)But don't start trying to telepath your Scooba into writing your doctoral thesis just yet. For now, researchers are focusing on getting the latest version of Honda's Asimo humanoid bot to perform simple actions like raising an arm or leg.
The system involves a helmet full of electroencephalography and near-infrared spectroscopy sensors that monitor electrical brainwaves and cerebral blood flow, signals that alter slightly during the human thought process. The robot controller thinks of one of a limited number of specific gestures it wants from Asimo, which has been fitted with a Brain Machine Interface.
The data is then analyzed on a real-time basis to distinguish what the user imagined and transmitted wirelessly to the bot, which makes corresponding movements.
Researchers in Tokyo showed a demonstration video of the system in which a user is shown a card with a picture of a right hand on it. After the user thinks about his right hand, the command from the user's brain is then transferred to Asimo, which acknowledges the request and raises its own right robotic limb.
Unfortunately, the scientists did not demo the technology live due to what they said were space constraints and concerns about possible distractions to the person's concentration--presumably in the form of blinding flashbulbs and the stunned faces of onlookers.
Honda nonetheless says tests of the system have produced results with 90 percent accuracy.
(Credit:
Fareastgizmos)
It's nice to see Japanese scientists developing technology that can actually help the elderly help themselves for a change, rather than creating more robots that ostensibly are designed to minister to their needs but may well have ulterior motives. To wit: Honda is developing a lightweight walking assistance device that can be worn around the hip and thighs to help ease a person's gait.
The mechanism works with brushless motors that get their cues from hip angle sensors and commands from the control CPU, according to press release. Being that this is Japan, however--the land that's headed for a human-free society--a robot's influence was still key to this invention. Fareastgizmos says that the R&D that went into Asimo, Honda's celebrity "advanced humoid robot," was used in developing this automated walker.
On Thursday afternoon I was back at the Computer History Museum. The Honda Research Institute was hosting its tenth Technical Horizon Symposium and announcing this year's Honda Initiation Grant awards.
Honda's Asimo robot
(Credit: Peter Glaskowsky)The grants are part of the Institute's efforts to stimulate collaborate research between Honda and the academic community. Since 1997, Honda says it has awarded 75 grants totalling "several million dollars" to universities in the US. This year, Honda received 300 proposals; it chose seven. This year's awards (listed here along with those of past years) cover research in safety, efficiency, emissions control, and user interfaces.
Also on hand for the event, which attracted an audience of some 300 people, was Asimo, Honda's famous robot. This Asimo is actually the second-generation model, and there were also three generations of prototypes. Over the years, Honda's been able to reduce the size of the necessary motors, power supplies, and control systems; the current Asimo is a cute little thing, just 4'3" (130cm) tall. Although it conveys the impression of solidity and weight, it's actually just 119 pounds (54kg). At this size, Asimo is big enough to interact with humans without posing much of a threat in case it bumps into someone or--as it can do if the power fails suddenly--falls down.
Honda put Asimo through its paces for us-- walking around the stage, balancing on one leg, kicking a soccer ball, traversing a set of stairs, and even running. The latter skill involves a peculiar loping gait; it's almost impossible to tell that Asimo is actually running, but Honda assures us that both feet leave the floor for about 80 milliseconds, during which time the robot moves about 2 inches forward. I was surprised to learn that Asimo is controlled by just four microprocessors, only two of which manage balance and locomotion.
In the audience were several members of the local Homebrew Robotics Club and the founders of Anybots, which I wrote about back in September. Asimo is far beyond the accomplishments of Anybots and other developers of autonomous robots... but then, it should be; Honda has poured untold amounts into its development. I'd guess the total amount must be in excess of $40 million, but Honda isn't saying.
Anyway, it was interesting to get a close look at Asimo. It's an impressive accomplishment, but it has a long way to go before it's ready for commercial sale. I suspect Honda's investment to date is just a drop in the bucket compared to the work that still remains. I can't begin to guess whether Honda will ever recoup its investments, but I'm glad it's doing the work.
Congratulations to Honda's Asimo, world champion of Crave's 2007 nonviolent robot tournament. In the final battle of the tournament, the smooth and sophisticated bipedal robot ousted Star Trek: The Next Generation's Data by a 78-22 percentage score.
Oh, and get your Asimo souvenir pennant here.
The total vote count was even more impressive. Asimo boasted 2,873 votes to Data's 861. Either total would have won any other game in the tournament, a testament to the feverish excitement created by the tourney across the world.
When Asimo isn't serving snacks to pretty ladies, he's serving beat-downs to his competitors.
(Credit: Honda.com)The odds-on favorite to win the competition, Asimo beat out 32 other robots (including the Crow T. Robot vs. Tom Servo play-in game) to take home top honors. Honda's robot was seeded No. 1 in the ultracompetitive Prototype Division.
To relive the entire nonviolent robot tournament in its full glory, visit the links below.
Voting is now closed! See the exciting conclusion of the Nonviolent Robot Tournament right here.
Asimo vs. Data for all the robo-marbles.
The nonviolent robotic cream has risen to the top. Figuratively.
All this week, Honda's Asimo and Star Trek: The Next Generation's Commander Data will be hitting the hardwood and competing for your votes. The robot with the most votes will take its place among the pantheon of greats, immortalized as the champion of all nonviolent robots.
It's been a long, crazy tournament (get the brackets here). For the round-by-round results, visit the links below. Or just click here for the championship scouting reports and to vote on a champion.
- See the Final Four final scores
- See last week's Final Four matchups
- See the Elite Eight final scores
- See the Elite Eight matchups
- See the Sweet Sixteen matchups
- See the first round matchups: Week one | Week two
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ASIMO VS. DATA: SCOUTING REPORTS
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(Credit:
Honda.com)
Competitor: Honda Asimo
Tourney ranking: Top seed, Prototype Division
Tournament history: Defeated Partner Ballroom Dance Robot 91-9 in first round; defeated OmniZero.4 84-16 in second round; defeated Beer-Launching Fridge 54-46 in Elite Eight; defeated Sony QRIO 64-36 in Final Four.
Fun fact: One day, Asimo will take your job!
Strengths: Is awesome; looks like an astronaut.
Weaknesses: Climbing stairs; descending stairs (see game footage below).
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(Credit:
StarTrek.com)
Competitor: Lieutenant Commander Data
Tourney ranking: Sixth seed, TV Division
Tournament history: Defeated KITT 66-34 in first round; defeated Twiki 81-19 in second round; defeated Bender 60-40 in Elite Eight; defeated Johnny Five 53-47 in Final Four.
Fun fact: Data's hobby is uploading photos of his cat Spot to Halolcats.com!
Strengths: Thrives on pseudo-emotion; memorizes opponent's playbook; Vulcan nerve-pinch.
Weaknesses: Once beat up some Borg and then made out with the Borg Queen (see game footage below).
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V(OTE): THE FINAL BATTLE
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Asimo. Data. One shining moment. Vote now.
(1) Asimo vs. (6) Data: Who is the greatest nonviolent robot of them all?
Asimo
Data
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LAST WEEK'S RESULTS
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(1) Asimo 64
(2) Sony QRIO 36
(6) Data 53
(5) Johnny Five 47
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