It's been a while since we've seen a humanoid robot this size do anything very new or interesting -- mostly they seem busy with their
slow-mo dance moves -- but the new ROPID bot by Tomotaka Takahashi, the man behind
Panasonic's Evolta bots, not only has a few new tricks up its plastic sleeves, but has personality to spare. The bot can rotate its upper torso, which seems to help immensely in keeping it balanced while jumping, running and skipping around. It's still the tried-and-true "bent knees" method of balance, but ROPID is "rapid" enough to make it look almost lifelike. The movements are expressive enough, but with some slightly articulated hands and a moving mouth, ROPID ups the adorable-ness factor over some of its nuts and bolts counterparts. ROPID can also respond to a few voice commands and speaks as well. Takahashi designed and built the bot himself, which makes us wonder what we've been doing with our lives that's so-very-important for the past couple of decades. Video of ROPID in action is after the break.
[Via
Plastic Pals]
posted Oct 28th 2009 9:01PM
I bet all the Terminators looked cute at first too...
I'm watching this and wondering about Skynet, I scroll down and see that comment waiting...
Gonna have to learn that language so I know when they give the command to destroy all humans! O_o
THIS IS THE REAL IPHONE KILLER!!! It comes will Android 3.0 (Flan) !! Droid Does. Can your iPhone jump and walk and make puppy-eyes? Yeah, I didn't think so either. Droids Rule!!
Looks more like a Megaman! Needs more Blue though!
I'll be impressed when it can make me a sandwich.
It's almost Christmas season. Soon these things will be the 'must have' gadget and will be in every single household in America. *shivers*
A few more models later, it will make you a sandwich alright, and then eat you
Skynet is getting ready...
@cWj
I like how you linked to a post in another blog that sourced its information from engadget
[via engadget]
OK, all of this robot news is starting to frighten me. The Japanese are making robotics like crazy! Jumping robots? All this anime I've been watching is starting to come to life. Scary.
If toys are this cool and complex (and creepy) already, I wonder what's going on in the Mad laboratories of the Chinese, Japanese, Americans and Russians...
Someone please stop the japanese before it's too late.
Think of it as an earlier warning. It's an island + robots don't like water = a bit of extra time to prepare.
(although it's of cute, might be too late by the time we figure out it doesn't want a hug)
Damn! Just watched the videos! That thing can get up by himself!
not relaly a jump, compare the height @ topof head
You don't need the top of your head to change height when you jump. What would the point of that be?
The point of a jump is to usually allow you to get over something, and therefore it's your feet you need to raise. So yes, this is a jump.
Who can fear anything with cute, and calming backround music.
Welcome, my overloards! *HUGS*
Astroboy?
i was thinking the same thing!!! haha
I love the pimp strut!
Poor little robot... only 3 inches ??
Hey! 3 inches can be big sometimes....
*Cries in corner*
Aww, what a cute little future overlord.
Seriously though, that's some great tech there. The slo-mo "jumping" was neat, the little movements suggesting concentration and then a look of pride afterwards.
The shoulders back running style was a bit odd. I'd think that would make it unstable compared to leaning in the direction of the sprint.
Talking of Droid... I bet he has Android 3.0 (Flan) with the personalized robo-secretary application. There is also an application to fetch water (from a leak-proof cup of course), he speaks 4 languages, and has the whole Google experience. It also comes with Wiggle experience - when you tickle him he rolls on the floor like Elmo laughing cutely and contagiously.
His chupacabra-looking cute eyes will help you inspire "Awww" on single mothers and college chicks - a girl magnet.
Why have a smartphone, when you can have an actual Droid !!! He also serves as a emotional consultant and it is tear-proof.
Jumping seems useless, but cute.
Who's my little terminator, ropid is tha-AAUUURUGHRUHGHGHG
Down Syndrome Robot 2.0,
Look at that thing run and jump, it's basically really eager to FAIL. Poor guy had stage fright, wouldn't even listen to his master half of the time. Durrrrrrrrrrrr.
On a less sarcastic note, its nice to see innovation, I just wish this whole process would speed up at least ten times faster.
These lamers should just give up. They can't compete with iRobot. We've been hearing of the iRobot-killer for years now, but none of them have managed to blah blahblah
More of an exercise in animation than in robotics. Very good animation though.
I think it'd look a lot better in white and light electric blue.
Needs Rocket Boots.
Maybe take it's shirt off?
"Aww look at that thing, how cute!"
*Destruction of the human race ensues.*
how much??? i want i want
I liked the part where he turns around his axis (second vid@1:11) the best, that's some clever moves there.
Imagine these would be your children/grandchildren's toys. So LUCKY.
i read the title really quickly and thought it said "ROPID the adorable humanoid can jump 3-feet into the air, sweep you off your feet"
i was thinking holy crap.
And before you know it there will be an army of these things that combine together to make something terminator-like.
I want to adopt him.
And about 7 of his siblings.
Just change the design a bit, give him green eyes and paint him silver and it's basically Clank!
First, Japanese kill our whales and dolphins... And now this?
I've just started saving for my teddybear 3000!!!!
Teddybear 3000 ad! (from A.I. movie)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7i_d95KsJI
Shenanigans!
It didn't actually jump, it just moved its legs out from under itself and then back, no extra height gained.
Looks pretty emo to me.
Reminds me of Chucky... *creeps*
best robot ever...
I can't wait for someone to pop and Arduino in there :)
I think it is kinda creepy
http://www.quibon.com
Not a jump.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jumping
Advanced skills for the size of robot. See all kinds of humaoid robot news here: http://www.roboticmagazine.com/androids.php