Everyday I go hunting for interesting tech news to bring to my subscribers and everyday I find myself amazed at how much has changed between the time I went to bed and the time I wake up.
Here's another story about a new robot recently developed that is changing the way we think about robotics and the potential is there at least in changing society completely. This my friends is another game-changer.
Of course we have seen other humanoid-looking robots in the past, I've reviewed many of the newest robotic prototypes and models on @techblogger and have been very impressed with new robots coming out of the Toyota and Boston Dynamics R&D labs lately.
But here's one that is different, its body can be described as very analogous to our own when it comes to moving and interacting with the environment.
Japanese researchers have been working on this new robot prototype for quite some time now and it has been designed to mimic not just human movements but the way humans actually accomplish those movements. The most interesting fact about this new robot is the fact that, yes, it sweats.
Kengoro is a second generation model, a new robot (its predecessor was released last year) which has unique abilities, for example it has flexibility. It has been designed to more closely follow 'true humanoid structure' over power or efficiency.
A recent paper published by Science Robotics had this to say:
A limitation of conventional humanoids is that they have been designed on the basis of the theories of conventional engineering, mechanics, electronics, and informatics.
By contrast, our intent is to design a humanoid based on human systems — including the musculoskeletal structure, sensory nervous system, and methods of information processing in the brain — to support science-oriented goals, such as gaining a deeper understanding of the internal mechanisms of humans.
The paper uses Kengoro and similar robot, Kenshiro, as examples of how to accomplish that intent; indeed, the whole issue of Science Robotics was dedicated to the concept of improving anthropomorphic robotics.
Imitating human biology has been the main goal of this project in terms of how they have designed and manufactured Kengoro. Human-like motions are the pincale of design goals and that means incorporating our weaknesses as well as our strengths in the design of this robot.
A good point was made while researching this topic. True human-like motion should always be the goal when you are attempting to develop robots that are supposed to exist in human-centric environments and interact with people.
After putting together Kengoro with muscle, joint and bone-like arrangements of motors and struts, the researchers put these similarities to the test by having the robot attempt a number of ordinary exercises, from push-ups to calf raises.
As you can see, he’s a little jittery ( “he” because the robot is modeled after an average 13-year-old Japanese boy). He probably should have stretched first. Still, he probably did more crunches for this article than I did this year.
When I saw this new Kengoro doing all these exercises in such a similar fashion to how a human being would do it, I was extremely impressed! I feel robotics is entering a new and fascinating frontier which reminds me of the series Westworld. Lets hope they aren't used for such nefarious purposes as they are in the series.
The sweating thing is quite interesting as well, lets look a bit deeper into that shall we? Basically, the way it works is that the motors have water running through them to help cool them off as they work, and they can expel that water through artificial pores in order to more quickly release heat.
According to designers this isn't completely necessary in terms of its overall ability to function but if you’re going to mimic humanity, you might as well go all the way.
It’s a very tall order and complex endeavor that Yuki Asano et al. are working to accomplish, but nobody can argue with the fantastic results they have seen so far! The “human mimetic humanoid” project is ongoing. It's very likely we will be hearing a lot more about Kengoro in the near future.
What are your impressions of this new and advanced humanoid robotic prototype? Are we close to entering no-mans-land in regards to what we are doing with science and technology yet?
Please leave your impressions below.
Thanks for reading @techblogger
Source:
This humanoid robot works out (and sweats) like we do (or should) - TechCrunch
Image Source:
www.techcrunch.com
This is just too much! Pretty soon robots will be indistinguishable from humans...
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Really fascinating. I get the idea of mimicking an exicting technology, in this case, the human body. It is the result of evolutionarily improvements so why not start there as a design basis. The water cooling is a great idea and, like our bodies, the robots would need to "drink" to replenish the coolant. How neat! Great post!
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The human body is a real wonder. So many biological processes designed by nature working together instantly to sustain life. Its one of the most complex machines ever to be created!
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And you really admire it when you observe how hard it is to even attempt to duplicate. Couldn't agree more!
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I really dont wish this to be happening, humans are humans, nothing can replace it! Really great about all the innovations but at the same time, if robots replace humans in workplace, how'll humans earn and live in this world. Robots should be of help to humans, not replacing or imitating them!
Just my view!
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Good points. I just report and try to get others to give opinions. In all honesty I'm scared and frightened of what is happening in regards to the types of advancements being made. Being scared of the unknown is natural. Thanks for dropping by!
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Yikes! This transhumanism is going a little too far... what next? Upload our brains into robotic bodies to become "immortal"? Only at the low low cost of your soul? Noooooo thanks! Sure, there can be uses for robotics, such as replacing jobs that are repetetive and ruin the human body quickly. Where do we draw the line and say this has gone too far? We are quickly losing our humanity and becoming slaves to machines at a faster and faster rate. I fear for our future, I really do.
Thanks for posting, this is an eye opener that's for sure!!! wow!
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Google's execs have been working feverishly to accomplish that. Who knows how close they are at this point?
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I like it
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Me too!
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how close they are at this point?
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This robot is 2nd gen. We are moving closer everyday. Be ready!
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This is awesome stuff.
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