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ZMP RoboCar ditches driver, creates own map (video)

Sean Buckley — Mon, 23 May 2011 11:42:00 EST

How does a self-driving car know where it's going? By using a map, of course -- preferably a self-generated one. In yet another video exemplifying breakneck golf-cart-like speeds, the ZMP RoboCar shows us that it doesn't need a driver to know where it's going. At least, not the second time it goes there. After a few minutes with a fleshy friend behind the wheel, the autonomous automobile can safely steer itself around curves, roundabouts, and fountains. It may not be able to keep pace with Google's tire-squealing, automated Prius, but at least we know it can see where it's going.

ZMP RoboCar ditches driver, creates own map (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 May 2011 11:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ZMP's City Simulator Experiment takes the driver out of the car, keeps the helmet just in case (video)

Tim Stevens — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 15:29:00 EST

ZMP has done some great things in the past -- well, except maybe Miuro, the roving iPod dock that ensured your PMP would always be just out of reach. Lately the company has been focusing on self-driving cars like the RoboCar MEV, and while this little one most certainly does have a driver, that driver is not actually in the car. It's a potential roadway revolution. Just imagine being able to partake in your morning commute from the safety of your own home! Right now it's just a little RC car (not unlike Malte Jehmlich's telepresence Wipeout from last year) being steered by what looks like a Logitech Driving Force GT, making us hope that the next Gran Turismo offers a mode just like this -- minus the headgear.

Continue reading ZMP's City Simulator Experiment takes the driver out of the car, keeps the helmet just in case (video)

ZMP's City Simulator Experiment takes the driver out of the car, keeps the helmet just in case (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ZMP RoboCar MEV seats only one but can drive even when alone (video)

Tim Stevens — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 11:24:00 EST

Watch the video below and you'll see that this thing is clearly not going to win any land speed records, and with nary a door it's hardly all-weather compliant. But, the RoboCar MEV from ZMP is more of a research vehicle, a self-driving car that's built on an electric microcar platform. It uses GPS and a plethora of front and rear sensors to know where it's going, an evolution of the Linux-powered 1/10 scale model we saw back in 2009. Just, you know, bigger. And pricier. Way pricier. Yes, you can buy one, but you're looking at about $35,000 for the simplest version, the Type A, which only has automatic speed control. The Type B has steering control as well and costs about $59,000, while Type C is a whopping $84,000 and adds automatic braking control along with a full suite of imaging and intertial sensors. Order now for delivery in about two months -- in Japan, naturally.

Continue reading ZMP RoboCar MEV seats only one but can drive even when alone (video)

ZMP RoboCar MEV seats only one but can drive even when alone (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 11:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ZMP RoboCar G soon to be available to researchers

Donald Melanson — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:03:00 EST

You may not be able to buy Honda's sci-fi-styled 3R-C electric three-wheeler anytime soon, but it looks like you will be able to get behind the wheel of ZMP's new RoboCar G this year -- if you're a researcher interested in working on next-generation vehicles, that is. According to the company, the vehicle will be available on a limited basis starting in November, and it will be able to be equipped with a whole range of sensors that will either help the driver, or let it be operated as a computer-controlled "robot vehicle." No indication of a price, or any word of availability to the general public -- although you may just be able to talk your into getting one for yourself if you can foot the bill. Exceedingly brief video after the break.

Continue reading ZMP RoboCar G soon to be available to researchers

ZMP RoboCar G soon to be available to researchers originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nippon Institute of Technology unveils educational humanoid robot

Laura June — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 01:18:00 EST

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.

Continue reading Nippon Institute of Technology unveils educational humanoid robot

Nippon Institute of Technology unveils educational humanoid robot originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 Dec 2009 01:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ZMP's RoboCar is Linux-based, cute as hell

Joseph L. Flatley — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 10:07:00 EST

It looks like ZMP, a Tokyo-based robotics company that's graced the (figurative) pages of Engadget from time to time, has just introduced a Linux-based RoboCar for testing autonomous auto technologies. Which only makes sense, we suppose -- better to test all of those autonomous algorithms you've been crankin' out on a six pound model before moving up to a three thousand pound family sedan (if a lot less fun). This guy is 17-inches long and packs an AMD Geode LX800 processor, WiFi 802.11b/g/n, stereo CCD cameras, eight IR sensors, three accelerometers, a gyroscope, and a laser range finder under the hood. Prices start at $7,000, but you have to jump on this -- according to Linux Devices, only two hundred units will be sold this year. Peep the video after the break.

Gallery: ZMP's RoboCar is Linux-based, cute as hell

[Via Linux Devices]

Continue reading ZMP's RoboCar is Linux-based, cute as hell

Filed under: Robots

ZMP's RoboCar is Linux-based, cute as hell originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 10:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ZMP sells bi-ped robot source code to spur development, uprising

Donald Melanson — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:07:00 EST

Tokyo-based ZMP has already teamed up with a consortium of other Japanese companies to take on the encroaching robot threat from South Korea, and it's now taken another step to spur on development and released the source code to its nuvo series of robots. Unfortunately, it's not going the open source route, with interested researchers and mad scientists instead required to dole out ¥257,250 (or $2,355) for a package that includes a nuvo robot, the source code, an electrical circuit diagram, three days of training, and an ID to give you access to the nuvo community. You'll also have to sign a non disclosure agreement with ZMP, and if you're not one of the first fifty to sign up, you're out of luck for now. Not exactly casting the widest of nets, but those looking for less expensive, more open robot platforms to play with certainly have plenty of other options to consider.

Filed under: Robots

ZMP sells bi-ped robot source code to spur development, uprising originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Japanese robot companies join forces to compete with South Korea

Donald Melanson — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:33:00 EST

South Korea has already made its ambitious robot plans quite well known, and it now looks like a group of Japanese robot companies are doing their best to stay in the race, with them forming a consortium of sorts that they say will let them cooperate in the research, development and marketing of robots. Currently, that group includes Tokyo's ZMP, Nagoya's Business Design Laboratory, Vstone (makers of the Black Ox pictured above), and Tmsuk, each of which will apparently initially focus on "simple service robots" designed to keep watch on the elderly, pets, and children. They're not getting much more specific than that just yet, unfortunately, with one of the company's CEOs only going so far as to say that, "in ten years, robots may be able to help out around the house," but that he doesn't "necessarily know that robots should do everything."

Filed under: Robots

Japanese robot companies join forces to compete with South Korea originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sega Toys and ZMP team up for Miuro-like Music Robot ODO

Donald Melanson — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 17:03:00 EST

ZMP's Miuro may have been doing the whole music-playing, rolling robot thing even before Sony's Rolly stole the spotlight, but it had the slight disadvantage of costing nearly $1,000. The company now looks to be changing that situation, however, with it teaming up with Sega Toys to release a slightly scaled-back but considerable cheaper version of the iPod dock, now dubbed the Music Robot ODO. Among other things, this one drops the built-in WiFi and camera of the Miuro, although it does hang onto the LCD that displays the ODO's "emotion" as it's dancing, and you do get a remote control to keep it from straying too far. No word on a release 'round these parts, naturally, but those in Japan can snag one for the not unreasonable cost of ¥15,540, or about $150.

Filed under: Portable Audio, Robots

Sega Toys and ZMP team up for Miuro-like Music Robot ODO originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Apr 2008 17:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft-powered biped robot makes its debut

Donald Melanson — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 16:58:00 EST

It's taken a little while, but it seems that the first robot based on Microsoft's Robotics Studio package is now available for sale, although it's far from a consumer bot. Running a hefty $5,345, the so-called "e-nuvo WALK" robot from Japan's ZMP (makers of the e-nuvo WHEEL, as well) measures 14 inches tall and is apparently intended primarily for research and education although, as you can see above, it also seems to be a strong candidate for the next RoboCup. According to the AP, those in Japan can place their orders for the robot now, but they'll have to wait until sometime in January before they actually gets their hands on one.

Filed under: Robots

Microsoft-powered biped robot makes its debut originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Nov 2007 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ZMP rolls out the e-nuvo WHEEL robot

Darren Murph — Fri, 22 Sep 2006 11:12:00 EST

While it's not exactly a life-sized humanoid companion, ZMP is rolling out (literally) a new robot destined to awe physics and engineering students everywhere. While the company has dabbled in robotics for academia before, the new e-nuvo WHEEL is a learning tool (be it science or anger management) through and through. Designed to challenge your MATLAB / Simulink skills, the two wheeled machine won't stay put (or stand straight up) without your programming efforts mastering its motion. Sporting an unmistakable nuvo body on an "inverted pendulum," the company even has supporting textbooks that explain how Newton's "equation of motion" can be tweaked and implemented in order to get your 'bot up and about. While there's no apparent pricing available, the e-nuvo WHEEL is still currently "in development," but should be wheeling around (or laying flat on its back) in campus laboratories soon.

[Via GoRobotics]

Filed under: Robots

ZMP rolls out the e-nuvo WHEEL robot originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Sep 2006 11:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Miuro, the robotic iPod dock

Evan Blass — Thu, 31 Aug 2006 13:11:00 EST

We literally see a new iPod dock hit the streets every single day (when you can find ten of them at Target, it would seem that the market is already a bit oversaturated), however, Japanese manufacturer' ZMP's Miuro is the first one we've spotted that will actually follow you around the house and shake its groove thing at your behest (well, except for maybe the KNG DJ dock). A not-quite-accurate acronym for "music innovation based on utility robot technology," Miuro is a 14-inch wide, egg-shaped device that can either pump tunes from your docked 'Pod or wirelessly from a PC through its Kenwood-built speakers. The 9-pound bot -- available in either white, black, yellow, or red -- responds to your commands via the included remote, and can gain a little more autonomy with the addition of optional cameras and sensors. Miuro goes on sale in Japan today for a rather pricey $930, and should be making it Stateside sometime in the second half of next year. This will certainly be a boon to us lazy Americans, as soon we'll be able to shed our hefty 'Pods and let a little robotic slave tote them around for us -- until the eventual uprising, that is, when swarms of these things will repeatedly attempt to crush your jugular in your sleep while almost unoticeably piping out "Killing Me Softly."

[Via The Raw Feed]

Filed under: Portable Audio, Robots, Wireless

Miuro, the robotic iPod dock originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 Aug 2006 13:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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