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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."

12 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. 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.

  5. 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 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.

  6. 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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    Falun Dafa is good!
  7. 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.

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

    File not found!

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    "It's the height of ridiculousness to say for those 9 lines you get hundreds of millions."
  9. 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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  10. 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.