Gaze-controlled robot gets demoed on video

It's hardly a new concept, but we're not about to bemoan the appearance of another sight-controlled robot, especially one that seems to be as simple and effective as this one created by a team of researchers from the Technical University of Denmark and the IT University of Copenhagen. That simplicity begins with the LEGO NXT-G kit that the bot is based around, which gets paired with a webcam and a laptop that's connected to the bot via Bluetooth, and to a desktop PC via WiFi. The PC comes into the picture with an eye-tracking system that lets folks control the robot as they watch the live feed from its webcam which, as you can see in the video after the break, appears to work remarkably well. The researchers apparently aren't content with things just yet, however, and they're already looking to use the system to control a wheelchair, and add some head-tracking to the mix for good mesure.

[MM @ Nov 28th 2008 6:15AM]

If you gave long enough at the samsung advert models

[Ian @ Nov 28th 2008 6:16AM]

Like this one?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfaNCRAFuek

[OneLove @ Nov 28th 2008 11:31AM]

is the guy in red da robot?

[abhisheksuman @ Nov 28th 2008 7:01AM]

Biggest disadvantage: Suppose this idea is implemeted for a street legal vehicle, say a car. Gawking at pretty faces on the sides of road will be a strict no no, as you will end up running over them.

[Martin @ Nov 28th 2008 7:11AM]

Note to developers - do not give to a teenage boy, no matter how disabled. Hottie carnage.

[Sarai @ Nov 28th 2008 7:47AM]

For those of us who are confined to a wheelchair, we get hopeful when we see products like this being developed. We use such devices seriously so this review is helpful for us. Until you are in our shoes it is easy to see all the disadvantages that are not issues with us. Hope they get it perfected because so many of us need it and would purchase it. People thought the iBot was stupid but hell that 26K wheelchair is remarkable. Ask me, I know! :)

[Homeboy @ Nov 28th 2008 8:40AM]

What if I'm using this system with several spectating eyes right behind my back or if I'm wearing sunglasses? In the end the question is whether it will work on cross-eyed people.

[Marcela @ Nov 28th 2008 9:15AM]

It might be a stupid question(since I can't see the video and the video could've awnsered it already) but...how can you make it stop? Closing your eyes?

If yes...I imagine ti wouldn't really be pratical crossing a street....how you know you can cross the street if you can't look?


...and one more question...


Will it understand that my closed eyes with flowing tears is a comand of 'please don't kill me'?

[Spencer @ Nov 28th 2008 9:23AM]

I was wondering the same thing, but can watch the video - they don't appear to have any sort of breaking system implemented yet, other than a guy following it around and picking it up.

However, as it is only gazing left or right that controls the direction, I see no reason why looking up or down couldn't control the acceleration/braking. Maybe they'll implement that later. Alternatively, I guess you could close one eye to make it stop, but that would be kind of annoying for extended periods.

[Holger @ Nov 28th 2008 11:36AM]

Cheers for my old Unitversity (The IT University of Copehagen aka ITU)!

good work guys!

[hehehhehehheheheh boobies @ Nov 28th 2008 4:16PM]

Wouldn't the obvious problem be that the robot inadvertibly drives directly into the breasts of any women nearby?

[si @ Dec 3rd 2008 2:37AM]

Legos! Yay!