Tokyo University's IRT humanoid robot mimics human motions

Tokyo University's IRT (Information and Robot Technology) division is already known for its projects of Assistant Robot and Mamoru. Now IRT is planning to deliver solutions to the aging society of Japan through robotics and information technology. Although the institute has not revealed much about it but has published some research papers about a new humanoid robot. The IRT humanoid is supposed to be a new full-scale bipedal humanoid with 38 degrees of freedom (neck x3, 2 arms x7, waist x1, 2 legs x6, fingers & toes x8).

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How will it work?

The robot has been integrated with gyro sensor at its waist, 6-axis force sensors at feet and two additional force sensors at each arm. It is being maneuvered by using a pair of network devices (dedicated to the upper or lower body). A soft latex foam rubber will be used to cover the robo body and for covering the head, hands and feet paper covering will be used. In the coming days the robot will independently mimic human motions through motion-capture technology at Tokyo University’s Department of Mechano-Informatics (Nakamura Lab). The mega minds which are working on the robot belong to Professor Yoshihiko Nakamura, Dr. Christian Ott (DLR), Professor Dongheui Lee (TU Munich) and Professor Dana Kulic (Ontario’s University of Waterloo).

Future vision:

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The researchers claim that their ultimate aim is motion primitives, which can be further used to generate similar motions. Presently, the robot is being programmed to notice the upper body movements for a perfect balance. The team is hoping that its future volitions will include human walking, side stepping, squatting and interaction with the environment.

Via: Plasticpals