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An artist's impression of how Roboy could look
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Berne: Roboy is a robot with a future. Envisaging a new generation
of robots Scientists have revealed a pioneering project to create a humanoid
helper robot with artificial muscles-within the record-breaking timeframe of
only nine months.
With an innovative industrial research and outstanding scientific
direction this ambitious project began a good five months ago at the Artificial
Intelligence Laboratory of the University of Zurich, and its goal is to develop
one of the most advanced humanoid robots within a self-set deadline.
Today “Roboy” is getting a new face and can already move his
arms – and soon he will be presented to the public to celebrate the
laboratory's 25th anniversary at the robotics fair "Robots on Tour".
The robot is built to be human-like. The tendons will help
the Roboy get human like actions and the engineers are also developing a
soft-skin for the bot. The team wants the Roboy to help the kids with their
daily chores.
Artificial Intelligence at Lab hope that 1.2m tall Roboy,
designed to look like a child, will eventually help the sick and elderly by
acting as a mechanical helper.
Video Credit: roboy.org
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| Roboy will have skeleton similar to human beings |
Successful technology transfer and innovative funding
The achievements of the 15 project partners and over 40
engineers and scientists so far are impressive. Research and industry are
working together on a joint project, thus enabling a spectacular technology
transfer. All involved are staunch supporters of the new research direction of
"soft robotics" and aim to support Switzerland as a hub of
technology. Another innovative element that's innovative in this project is the
way it is funded.
Living side-by-side with service robots like Roboy
Service robots are machines that are, to a certain extent,
able to execute services independently for the convenience of human beings.
Since they share their "living space" with people, user- friendliness
and safety, above all, are of great importance. This is why so-called "soft
robotics" – the development of robots that are soft to the touch, soft in
their interaction, soft and natural in their movements – will play an ever
greater role in this field.
Innovation and new findings thanks to Roboy
Creating humanoid robots presents researchers with great
challenges. Elements such as quick, smooth movements or robust, flexible yet
soft skin are difficult to recreate. Fundamental new findings are needed for
this purpose. It is precisely through projects like Roboy that innovation is
possible.
The findings from its predecessor "Ecce" are being evaluated, leading to improvements and new materials. A robotics platform is being created to investigate and further develop the principles of tendon-driven drive technology in robotics. Regardless of whether the service robots of the future resemble humans or not, the principles applied – such as tendon-driven movement – will be put to use.
The findings from its predecessor "Ecce" are being evaluated, leading to improvements and new materials. A robotics platform is being created to investigate and further develop the principles of tendon-driven drive technology in robotics. Regardless of whether the service robots of the future resemble humans or not, the principles applied – such as tendon-driven movement – will be put to use.
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The team is already developing parts of
the Roboy, such as its
skeleton like chest which
houses spring-like artificial tendons
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