Nippon Institute of Technology unveils educational humanoid robot

We really can't get enough of these humanoid robots. Researchers collaborating from the Nippon Institute of Technology, Harada Vehicle Design, ZMP and ZNUG Design have just taken the wraps off another addition to the crew. The newest version of the e-NUVO walk bot stands about 4 feet tall, making it roughly the size of an elementary school aged child, and will be incorporated into classes to teach children about humanoid robots in a hands-on environment. We'll admit that after seeing a video of the bot in action (it's after the break), we're pretty jealous of those school children.

[fischju Posted Dec 21st 2009 1:21AM]

Would anybody else rather see it staring in The Hobbit instead of Tobey Maguire?

[Blackstar Posted Dec 21st 2009 5:20AM]

@fischju

The Encyclopedia Galactica defines a robot as a mechanical apparatus designed to do the work of a man.

The Marketing Division of the Sirius Cybernetics Corporation defines a robot as 'Your plastic pal who's fun to be with.'

The Nippon Institute of Technology, Harada Vehicle Design, ZMP and ZNUG Designs define a robot as an tiny inept tap dancer with no sense of rhythm.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 21st 2009 10:11AM]

@Blackstar
ROFL

[Eugene Action Posted Dec 21st 2009 6:18PM]

@fischju needs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4nbq2Hrh90

[yulebellow Posted Dec 21st 2009 1:25AM]

This robot will teach you how to throw a fit by stomping your feet for 15 seconds, and then fix your posture. Best investment EVER!

[Mr Oos Posted Dec 21st 2009 1:29AM]

@yulebellow

Agreed!

[kingofwale Posted Dec 21st 2009 1:32AM]

woaaah, I just had an A.I flashback.

[gmcboot Posted Dec 21st 2009 9:57AM]

@kingofwale

God I hated that movie.

[Xudd Posted Dec 21st 2009 1:32AM]

The picture makes me wonder how tall the robot is...

[Xudd Posted Dec 21st 2009 1:32AM]

@Xudd And no I didn't read the article before I read that. Haha.

[Eugene Action Posted Dec 21st 2009 6:22PM]

@Xudd yuu phunieeee

[Andie Posted Dec 21st 2009 1:32AM]

Humanoid? Which one?

[snowglyder Posted Dec 21st 2009 12:06PM]

@(Unverified)

That's what I thought. When I read 4ft, I was still wondering how tall the robot was.

[Ducman69 Posted Dec 21st 2009 1:48AM]

You know as soon as the cameras are off they active the date-sim program, dress it up w/ a pink pony tail wig, schoolgirl outfit, and paint on huge anime eyes.

[Thijs Posted Dec 21st 2009 1:56AM]

Don't bully it though or you'll have to explain to it's Terminator daddy.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 21st 2009 2:27AM]

Today it's educational tomorrow it's SKYNET...

[qlimax Posted Dec 21st 2009 5:59AM]

@(Unverified)

Yeah right. I mean, we don't need that ! humans need more emotions...

[Wesscoast Posted Dec 21st 2009 2:29AM]

We're told the Japanese researchers have been studying very closely the potential for a 'female' robot, and are working very hard on a 2 inch deep crevice in the groin area for that model.

They're expected to hit ¥100B in sales in 2011.

[TikiTeko Posted Dec 21st 2009 8:49AM]

@Wesscoast And I am sure you will be one of the consumers of that "crevice"... I am sorry you can't get a date :s

[muol Posted Dec 21st 2009 2:31AM]

They look all very similar somehow. BTW who's that copper-colored guy in the middle?

[TikiTeko Posted Dec 21st 2009 8:47AM]

@muol Yes dude, and the human touching the robot to the right, is it a man or a woman? I am confused :S She could be a manly woman.... or he could be a feminine guy....

[jamed Posted Dec 21st 2009 2:34AM]

umm..i usually love japanese and their robots but this one looks silly..whats with his feet..let me guess.. the japanese dont want the french make wine with their dirty feet anymore so theyve designed this robot to do the job !

[kloan Posted Dec 21st 2009 2:47AM]

I think I was more impressed with my wind up tin chicken toy than this thing and it's 'walk'.

How about at ~least~ putting some rubber on the bottom of the feet. If I had that thing in my classroom, I'd trip it every chance I had just so I wouldn't have to listen to the thing stomp around like a spazz. They have a special class for that anyway.

[helox Posted Dec 21st 2009 3:42AM]

Reminds me of Megaman, yes the 8-bit version.

[MaximumXP Posted Dec 21st 2009 5:16AM]

@jacknanis
Your English is questionable, but your humor is solid and brownish; +1.

[Ducman69 Posted Dec 21st 2009 6:08AM]

@DarkElfa - So you think Michael J. Fox looks cheap? You're insensitive.

[naz Posted Dec 21st 2009 7:33AM]

Wow awkward family photo

[CrackedButter Posted Dec 21st 2009 7:35AM]

Wow that thing is noisy and already annoying after 23 seconds! I was going to mention before watching the video that it was too short a clip, not i understand why it's too short. Thanks! :-)

[305BuddyLuv Posted Dec 21st 2009 7:36AM]

ASIMO still is the best humanoid ever built. They need to go see Honda for some tips.

[Mindlessbeing Posted Dec 21st 2009 8:53AM]

I'm was expecting it to suddenly get red glowing eyes and choke the life out of everyone around it.

[Pusta Posted Dec 21st 2009 10:08AM]

Guess I am the only one immature enough to laugh at "Nippon"

[crapbag Posted Dec 21st 2009 11:29AM]

japan is really obssessed with robots

[Shunnabunich Posted Dec 22nd 2009 12:08PM]

@crapbag
Someone ought to be. Thanks to their enthusiasm for the subject, we'll probably have ones that don't suck sooner than we would otherwise.

[crapbag Posted Dec 23rd 2009 10:45AM]

@Shunnabunich

japan is really obsessed with robots for the sake of robots, and in particular, robots that live up to some ficionalized ideal of what a robot should look like. it's not really driven by practical application. i don't believe this sort of work is driving the cutting edge of the field of robotics. its primary real-world value will probably be in the form of applications in the toy industry.

[Chief2 Posted Dec 21st 2009 1:16PM]

How very meta... a humanoid robot whose sole purpose is to teach kids about humanoid robots.