Makimoto links IC future to next-generation robots

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Concealing very important thinking beneath the veneer of a humorous lunchtime speech at the Custom Integrated Circuits Conference here on Tuesday (Sept. 23), Sony Corp. corporate advisor Tsugio Makimoto suggested there is a next big thing waiting in the shadows to rescue the IC industry: a robot. Makimoto’s projections have to be taken seriously, as he was the founder of the observation — since given his name — that demand and capacity in the semiconductor industry were cyclical. Hence, an audience of chip designers paid close attention not just to his entertaining descriptions of recent Sony entertainment robots and to his breakdown of critical IC content in the devices, but to his views on what role robotics would play in the future of the industry.

Makimoto paid tribute to the Czech playwright who coined the term robot and to science fiction writer Isaac Asimov, who created the fictional but still influential three laws of robotics. He then described the four-phase chronology of robotics.

In the first phase, he said, robots were playback devices that performed prerecorded routines. In the second phase, robots became sensor-driven devices that interpreted input from a limited range of sensors to determine their next move in a well-defined environment.

The third phase, Makimoto said, was the entry of robots into unstructured environments where they required sufficient local intelligence to interpret the sensor data without the constraints of a predefined world.

[…]

ERS-7 PRESS RELEASE

3rd Generation Of Sony’s Entertainment Robot Evolves With More Skills, Functions And Connectivity

New AIBO ERS-7 Is Your Companion With The Right Connections

Paris, 4 September 2003 – Sony’s lovable companion, AIBO, is entering a new phase in its evolution w ith the birth of the ERS-7. A quantum leap in technology has taken AIBO’s companionship abilities to new heights. Becoming more entertaining than ever, A IBO also boasts enhanced communication skills and new levels of functionality. For the first time, the onboard memory enables the new AIBO to retain the personality that it w ill develop over its

lifecycle. A cool new design has refined its cute looks and a r icher LED display on its face, know n as ‘Illume-Face’, lets the new AIBO express a w ider variety of emotions. It is also the most connected AIBO yet, presenting built-in Wireless LAN connectivity and a larger 32MB Memory Stick. Thanks to this, the ow ner can interact w ith the AIBO at a distance using a PC or a mobile device.

“AIBO is evolving from a source of fascination and entertainment into a more functional, endearing companion,” says Nicolas Babin, Director of Sony Entertainment Robot Europe. “The ERS-7 is a fantastic step forward for the AIBO concept, aiming to facilitate interaction betw een humans and robots. It opens up a w orld of possibilities for AIBO enthusiasts and it is a notable step in the development of artificial intelligence as w ell as domestic robots.

The clever AIBO ERS-7 w ill present a very new dimension of companionship to its ow ner. The connectivity possibilities w ith mobile devices and PCs mean that AIBO w ill be able to perform ever more helpful actions in the day-to-day life of its ow ner. Ow ing to the significant progress of the hardw are, Sony has developed a new software named ‘AIBO Mind’ that integrates all of AIBO’s applications onto one 32MB Memory Stick. This software Memory Stick is supplied in English version with the main unit as an all in one package. Today this all-inclusive softw are enables AIBO to behave autonomously as well as benefit from PC-based applications.

In the autonomous mode, fun pet-like behaviour accompanies AIBO’s ability to recognise its ow ner’s face and voice as well as locate its energy station to charge itself. For the first time, this softw are also features ‘Visual Pattern Recognition’ enabling AIBO to distinguish shapes and patterns. For example, the pattern on the Energy Station pole helps AIBO to localise and position itself quickly. In addition, the all-new AIBO Cards feature a variety of patterns offering

an alternative w ay of communicating visually w ith AIBO. These cards allow AIBO to be given several instructions including ‘Alarm clock set-up‘ or ‘Take a picture’.

One of the key applications of the ‘AIBO Mind’ softw are utilising the Wireless LAN technology, allow s AIBO to remotely connect to an Internet enabled PC or mobile device. For example, the owner can send an email instruction to AIBO asking it to take an unsuspecting picture of the ow ner’s children and send it back to the mobile telephone. This extraordinary feature demonstrates the potential for AIBO to have a more useful role in everyday life. The ow ner can

also benefit from the onboard Wireless LAN by transferring the pictures taken independently by AIBO to be view ed on a PC.

Over time new contents and applications w ill be made available to personalise an A IBO and will need to be added to the single ‘AIBO Mind’ Memory Stick. AIBO’s on-board memory has been doubled and its new 64-bit RISC processor has a clock speed that is 150% faster than its predecessors. Several ‘touch’ sensors on AIBO’s body are now electro-static sensors meaning that a gentle stroke on A IBO’s head or back w ill trigger a response w ithout needing to push or click. The ERS-7’s eyesight is three times better than previous models. Finally, AIBO’s clever new behaviour has been rew arded w ith a new toy, the ‘AIBOne’. In the form of a pink bone, A IBO can, for the first time ever, pick it up in its mouth.

Eager AIBO enthusiasts need only w ait until Sony Dream World in Paris on 6th and 7th September 2003 to get a first glimpse of the new AIBO. From the beginning of November, AIBO w ill be available throughout Europe, either through selected retail outlets or online at www.eu.aibo.com.

Main specifications of AIBO ERS-7

Dimension 180 (W) x 278 (H) x 319 (D) mm

Weight Approx. 1.65kg (including battery & memory stick)

‚b‚o‚t 64bit RISC Processor MIPS R7000

CPU Clock Speed 576MHz

Memory SDRAM 256Mbit x 2

Flash memory 32Mbit x 1

Program Storage Media Memory Stick 1 slot, FAT16

Components not removable

Movable Parts Mouth – 1 degree of freedom

Head – 3 degrees of freedom

Leg – 3 degrees of freedom x 4 legs

Ear – 1 degree of freedom x 2

Tail – 2 degrees of freedom

Input/Output Camera CMOS Image Sensor 350,000 pixels

PC Card Slot N/A

Wireless LAN Card IEEE 802.11b (Integrated)

Media Memory Stick slot In/Out

Audio Input Miniature Microphones

Audio Output Miniature Speaker, 20.8mm?A500mW

MIDI Yes

Volume Switch Yes

Built-in Sensors Temperature Sensor

Infrared Distance Sensor (head, body)

Acceleration Sensor

Electric Static Sensor (head, back)

Pressure Sensor (chin, paws (4))

Vibration Sensor

Power Consumption Approx. 7W (Standard operation in autonomous

mode)

4

Operating Time Approx. 1.5 Hours (Standard operation in

autonomous mode)

Charging Time Approx. 2.5 Hours

Operating Temperature 5°C to 35°C

Operating Humidity 10% to 80%

Supplied Accessories

AIBO MIND (software), Energy station, Energy station

pole, AC adapter, Lithium Ion Battery pack, Pink ball,

AIBOne, AIBO Cards, Documentation

LED Illume Face : 24 LED (white 12, red 4, blue 4, green

4)

Ear : 2 (left & right)

Head sensor : 2 (white and amber)

Head (wireless LAN on/off) : 1(blue)

Back sensor : 16 (white 8, red 3, blue 3, orange 2)

About Sony:

Sony manufactures audio, video, communications and information technology products for the global consumer and professional markets. With its music, pictures, game and online businesses, Sony is uniquely positioned to become a leading personal broadband entertainment company in the 21st century. In Europe, Sony recorded consolidated annual sales of EUR 13.88 billion (yen 1,666 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2003, based on an average market exchange rate for the same period of yen 120 to the EUR. Sony Europe, headquartered at the Sony Center am Potsdamer Platz in Berlin, is responsible for the company’s European electronics business and registered consolidated sales of EUR 8.62 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2003. For more information on Sony Europe, please visit http://www.sony-europe.com

Sony Dream World

[…]

Making a worldwide debut in the robotics area is the latest AIBO robot, the ERS-7, which boasts a charismatic new design and advanced levels of connectivity and functionality. The prototype biped robot the ‘QRIO’ is making its European debut, an artificially intelligent device that adapts its performance to its environment and develops skills based on sense, memory and learning. The four-legged AIBOs are starring in a real soccer match where visitors can pitch their skills by commanding a team of three AIBO’s from a VAIO PC which are playing against a team of completely autonomous AIBO’s.

[…]

Sony Global | QRIO

It is the product of cutting edge artificial intelligence and dynamics technology.

An entertainment robot that lives with you, makes life fun, makes you happy.

Its name is QRIO.

QRIO can gather information and move around on its own accord.

QRIO not only walks on two legs, it can also manage uneven surfaces,

dance, recognize people’s faces and voices, and carry on conversation.

QRIO is eager to be friends with people.

[…]

Sony to unleash new AIBO robo-dog : HindustanTimes.com

Sony Launches Third Generation AIBO Entertainment Robot

Futuristic Floppy-Eared Canine Offers More Functionality and Utilitarian Features

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 4 /PRNewswire/ — Entertainment Robot America (ERA), the division of Sony Electronics Inc. (SEL) responsible for the iconic series of autonomous AIBO(R) Entertainment Robots, announced today that it is delivering a highly-evolved, floppy-eared, third generation robotic dog.

Available in pearlescent white, the newly designed, futuristic ERS-7 AIBO model provides the greatest degree of autonomous behavior and functionality to date. It features a faster CPU, a higher resolution camera and twice as much memory as its predecessors.

[…]

Sony licenses optical technology for robots – The Economic Times

LOS ANGELES: Robotics technology company Evolution Robotics Inc. on Tuesday said it had licensed its visual-recognition software to the unit of Sony Corp. that produces the Japanese conglomerate’s Aibo robots.

Privately held Evolution Robotics, based in Pasadena, California, said Sony’s Entertainment Robot Co. would use the ‘ER Vision’ software in future ‘entertainment robots.

[…]

Australian IT – Robot pets take off in Asia (Sholto Macpherson, SEPTEMBER 02, 2003)

HUMANS have always wanted pets, but many baulk at the responsibility of walking and cleaning up after a dog once it has grown out of puppyhood.

Although robotic pets lack a heartbeat and a wet tongue, they have found a home in Asia, where most living pets are incompatible with high-rise lifestyles.

The standard artificial intelligence software in most robots runs through a programmed life cycle in which behaviour depends upon the treatment meted out by its owner.

If ignored, a robot will become lethargic and throw a ball around; it wants to play.

Every action and response is recorded in the onboard memory, which remembers the robot’s developing personality, moods and any tricks it has been taught.

Robot pets have come in various forms, from cats to fluffy mouse-like creatures, but the most popular form has remained the dog.

[…]

MIT leaps to solution of walking-on-water mystery

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.—MIT researchers report in the Aug. 7 issue of Nature that they now understand how the insects known as water striders skim effortlessly across the surface of ponds and oceans.

In addition, the researchers created Robostrider, a mechanical water strider that uses the same fluid dynamics to move, although not as gracefully and quickly as its natural counterpart.

The hydrodynamics underlying the surface locomotion of these semiaquatic creatures (the family Gerridae and others) is poorly understood, said John W.M. Bush, associate professor of mathematics at MIT and author of the Nature study. In addition to water striders, he intends to apply his expertise in fluid dynamics to other surface swimmers.

[…]

RoboSapien Announce

BEAM robotics is entering the humanoid race with its own 14-inch high, slightly-more-affordable walking machine. It’ll retail for about $80, has 67 built in functions, speaks international “caveman”, reconfigurable touch and sound reflexes, and features nested programming functions.

The “RoboSapien” (from WowWee Toys) uses resonant non-linear dynamics instead of the usual “Zero Force Point” Honda walking paradigm. Though the product is digital, it’s based on “nervous network” analog technologies featured in a variety of marketed science, education, and robotic products.

Main features are no computer required, easy for kids, advanced enough for adults, over 6 hours runtime from regular batteries, and it’s fast.

http://www.wowwee.com/

http://www.popsci.com/popsci/science/article/0,12543,473095,00.html PopSci Art.

http://www.androidworld.com/prod02.htm A nice picture at AndroidWorld

http://www.allnerdreview.com/TOYFAIR/2003/TF2003WOW.html A detailed review of the humanoid and other 2003 Wow Wee products.