SmartPal V: Integrating robotics with human life

Since the day we started designing the first meaningful machine or maybe even before that, we have always feared that somehow one day these creations of human intellect would surpass man & take control of the world that he presently rules. While this idea might have been put forth brilliantly on reel by some of the best movie makers, the scenario that Will Smith had to encounter in i-Robot is still a fantasy that is far away from reality. Despite technology making rapid progress, every attempt of ours to mimic nature has been never fully successful. Moreover the fact is that robotics is making strides towards making our lives a lot more comfortable by integrating its technological breakthroughs with practical life.

smartpal v robot

SmartPal V is one such attempt by Japanese company Yaskawa Electric Corporation. The robot is designed by the company to work in an environment surrounded by humans & to adapt itself to the needs of its users. The first thing that hits you when you look at it is its look. SmartPal V is designed in such a way that it is hard not to treat it like a companion, like a living breathing friend who helps you at every possible instant. It looks more like a person & less like a machine which helps immensely in inviting it in to our homes.

Apart from the design aspect, it is technologically advanced to an extent where it can familiarize itself with the objects of people it lives with & can identify & associate appropriate significance of some object. This means that it would not trample or throw away your kid's favorite old toy, but would delicately take care of it. This really is incredible as for me it adds a very human touch to a machine.

SmartPal V weighs 280 pounds and is fifty-two inches tall; it has four CCD cameras & can move around at speeds of up to 3.6 kilometers per hour. It has a voice synthesis capability, which allows it to directly answer to the questions posed by those who use it. It can also associate itself with the other SmartPals present close by with a wireless device. It is basically aimed at providing service to those who need it & is designed to be very user friendly. It really looks cool & also offers great value for money. Mixing a very human design with precise & simple-to-use technology is indeed its greatest asset.

smartpal v working

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