New Scientist: Martial arts robots hit Asian tech fair

HOAP-2 stamps the ground like a sumo wrestler (Image: CEATEC)

Humanoid robots capable of performing somersaults and complex martial arts moves were demonstrated at Asia’s largest electronics and computing fair in Tokyo on Saturday.

Visitors to CEATEC 2003 (Combined Exhibition of Advanced Technologies) met Morph3, a human-like robot about 30-centimetres tall developed by researchers at the Chiba Institute of Technology in Japan. It can perform back flips and karate moves thanks to 138 pressure sensors, 30 different onboard motors and 14 computer processors.

Another miniature humanoid robot on display was Fujitsu’s HOAP-2. This droid has been programmed to perform moves from the Chinese martial art taijiquan, as well as Japanese Sumo wrestling stances.

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