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Cheap, Open-design Humanoid Bot - Runs Linux, Too

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the small-in-japan dept.

An anonymous reader points out Linux Devices' coverage of a new Linux-based humanoid robot: "Four companies in Japan have created a low-cost, user-programmable humanoid robot targeting educational and research applications. ... The HRP-2m Choromet stands about 14 inches tall, and is capable of walking upright on two legs. It can also assume supine or prone positions, and stand up from either." As the reader summarizes, "It runs user-space humanoid motion application software and real-time Linux on a business-card-sized computer with a SuperH processor. Be sure to check out the video of the little guy without his plastic batman suit."

22 of 167 comments (clear)

  1. hmm by coaxeus · · Score: 5, Funny

    I, for one, welcome our new japaneze seizure robot overlords.
    Be sure to check out the video of the little guy without his plastic batman suit
    nsfw?

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  2. We need to teach these things to run by 19thNervousBreakdown · · Score: 4, Funny

    Picture this: your mother-in-law comes over. You open the front door, and just as she's about to cross the threshold 40 of these things come running down the hallway armed with foot-long kitchen knives.

    A robot walking slowly is a toy. A robot, even a tiny one, pistoning down a hall, leaping obstacles, maybe tripping and catching itself with one hand without breaking stride... that's just plain scary. I believe that no invention is complete until it's capable of its own starring role in a nightmare. We're getting there, let's get it done this decade.

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    1. Re:We need to teach these things to run by feronti · · Score: 4, Funny

      And a humanoid robot chasing your mother-in-law is a nightmare how?

      Because she's still in the dream.

  3. Why Windows Media? by bryanporter · · Score: 4, Funny

    If it runs Linux, why does the video clip of it in action require Windows Media Player?

    I sincerely hope this is the result of the video hosting service, and not the company itself. Sometimes you have to wonder at the schizophrenia endemic to the corporate world.

  4. Imagine.... by tverbeek · · Score: 2, Funny

    Imagine a Beowulf cluster^H^H^H^H^H^H^H platoon of them!

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  5. Your plastic pal who's fun to be with! by stsp · · Score: 3, Funny

    I want one with a Genuine People Personality so it can take over when I have to talk to people I don't like.

  6. Why walking? by jours · · Score: 4, Insightful

    1. Build walking robot
    2. Install Linux
    3. ...
    4. Profit???

    Seriously, why so much interest in building a walknig robot though? Sure it's an interesting research project, but what's the real application of a robotic biped? IANARE (I Am Not A Robot Engineer), but it seems to me that there are a lot more efficient ways for a robot to move - wheels, treads, etc - than trying to master walking. By the time you're done adding motors, sensors and processing power to make it walk, I imagine there's precious little left to make it actually *do* anything useful.

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    1. Re:Why walking? by spagetti_code · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Because many of the environments we want these devices in
      are better suited to bipeds (like us).

      Stairs and ladders, for example, are two of the many
      environments they will need to be proficient in.
      Not to mention robotic soccer.

      And besides - the look cool and cool sells.
      (although at $170k - probably not too well.

    2. Re:Why walking? by Wind_Walker · · Score: 3, Insightful

      More efficient ways? Sure. More practical ways? Nope.

      For better or worse, the human world is designed around bipedal movement. Steps, doors (especially revolving doors), chairs, curbs, desks... They all assume certain things, amongst which is bipedal movement.

      The more we program robots to be bipedal, the more we learn about bipedal movement from a purely analytical perspective. And the more we learn about bipedal movement, the closer we become to making real "helper" robots that are seen in countless Sci-Fi stories.

    3. Re:Why walking? by Pharmboy · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Except upstairs or downstairs in any two story home. Or even up the steps to get in a single story home. Most people would buy a mini robot, or a full sized robot that is designed for personal use, at HOME. Not at fully modern government buildings and malls which are subject to the laws you speak of.

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    4. Re:Why walking? by Rob+T+Firefly · · Score: 2

      If the robot were not bipedal, it wouldn't have a shiny metal ass to tell you to bite.

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  7. If it ran Windows, a useful reference would be: by A+Dafa+Disciple · · Score: 3, Funny

    Defend yourself in the Imminent Robot Rebellion

    That's right. Imminent.

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  8. hmm by hurfy · · Score: 2, Funny

    Ok, the plans for world domination will have to be reworked to account for the 14" bots. Get back to you later on that ;)

    Dang it, I said 14 FEET tall...subcontractors never get ANYTHING right :(

    Ok, its cute...umm what does it do?

  9. I can see it now by i8puppies · · Score: 4, Funny

    An army of linux-robots marching to the gates of Microsoft headquarters, all fitted with chainsaws and laser eyes.

  10. But does it... by Nom+du+Keyboard · · Score: 4, Funny
    /usr/bin/sex

    File not found!

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  11. Scripting languages? by wowbagger · · Score: 5, Funny

    So, will this be programmable via scripting languages?

    Sort of a "TCL-me Elmo?"

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  12. This is nice, but... by whereverjustice · · Score: 2, Funny

    I'm assuming that the hardware is completely incompatible with Ubuntu. Linux for human beings, you see...

  13. Cheap by slashkitty · · Score: 2, Insightful
    You can't say it's cheap if it doesn't even have a price yet. It's for us to decide if it's really cheap when it's priced.

    If it's $100, then it would be cheap. It's probably more like $20,000, which, I would not consider "cheap"... More accessible for some, yet, cheap, no... and, it's not even accessible yet.

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  14. Re:Wow, sound pretty sweet... by Fordiman · · Score: 2, Funny

    Or, "Does it run L4", or "Does it run OS-X".

    Or, god forbid, "Does it run Windows, and if so, how long before it starts freaking out and killing people?"

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  15. Another chair shortage in Redmond? by Freed · · Score: 2, Funny

    Microsoft already has its sights on the robot biz: see Microsoft's Robots Will Assimilate You .

    In other news, at a company conference in Boston, a Microsoft executive referred to the low-cost, user-programmable robot business as 'our house', and warned Linux to stay out. He went on to say "Those people are not going to be allowed to take food off our plate, because that is what they are intending to do ... Humanoid bots is our business, it's our house and Linux is not going to take that business."

  16. I hope the firmware is open too by alegrepublic · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Running Linux would not be good enough unless the firmware is open source too. It would not be fun to have to call a close-source API that implements pre-programmed routines instead of providing raw access to sensors and motors. Otherwise, I would think they use Linux for two reasons: propaganda and freeloading... I hope they are honestly and carry on the promise to deliver a really open system.

  17. Correct link, real tech details by Animats · · Score: 2, Informative

    Company site, with translation to English. Actual technical details. Pricing.