The Robots Friends and Helpers
A robot developed by Toyota plays the trumpet in Tokyo. The robot has artificial lips with the same finesse as human lips that enable it to play the trumpet. Dwindling birthrates and a rapidly aging population in Japan are underscoring concerns regarding the need to secure a stable labor force for the future in order for people to be able to enjoy a comfortable standard of living. Toyota is promoting the development of human- assisting partner robots to help alleviate these concerns.
The Sony Qrio, described as one of the most advanced robots in the world on display at the Best of Stuff Exhibition in Hammersmith, London. The biped entertainment robot also showed off a smooth salsa dance in a star turn at the two-day exhibition which showcases the latest groundbreaking gadgets, gear and technology and features top brand names. Qrio, which stands for quest for curiosity, can also hold intelligent conversations with people and recognize faces.
The "Micro Flying Robot," that is believed to be the world's lightest and smallest robot helicopter, flies in the air at the International Robot Exhibition in Tokyo in November 2003. Weighing only 8.9 grams, the four-legged mini-copter, developed by Japan's electronics giant Seiko Epson Corp., is equipped with four micro actuators to drive two rotors and stabilizing units using what Epson says the world's first stabilizing mechanism that make it fly and balance in the air.
Humanoid robot "Nuvo" of Japan's robot venture ZMP "walks" to show off its abilities. Nuvo, 39 cms tall and weighing 2.5 kgs, features a remote-controlled function by mobile phone and speech recognition. The company will sell the robot to the general public from the end of this year for about half a million yen ($4,500).
In addition to patrolling the corridors of empty buildings at night, the guard robot "Secur-o-Bot" can track people breaking in and detect smoke, dangerous gases and fires. The robot was developed by Germany's Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology and Automation and the firm Neobotix.
The intelligent robot "Care-O-Bot II" is part of a second generation of robots that provide home care for senior citizens and persons with disabilities. The robot performs chores and provides assistance aimed at helping people who require limited care to remain in their homes for longer.
The SmartPal robot by the Yaskawa Electric Corp. The robot is part of a new generation that provides all types of household help from clearing the table to washing the dishes.
