Fujitsu Introduces Miniature Humanoid Robot, HOAP-1

Tokyo, September 10, 2001

Fujitsu Automation Limited and Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd. today announced that they have jointly developed a new miniature humanoid robot, named HOAP-1(*1), designed for wide application in research and development of robotic technologies. Fujitsu Automation will begin domestic sales of the robot from today and hopes to sell 100 units within three years. Details on the new robot will be announced at the Robotics Society of Japan meeting to be held September 18 at Tokyo University.

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[Major Features]

(*1) HOAP-1 (acronym stands for Humanoid for Open Architecture Platform)

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CNN.com – Fujitsu debuts humanoid robot – September 12, 2001

Fujitsu debuts humanoid robot

September 12, 2001 Posted: 10:29 a.m. EDT (1429 GMT)

By Martyn Williams

(IDG) — Fujitsu’s latest robot is ready to stand on its own two feet. On Monday the company began selling a two-legged humanoid robot designed to serve as a test bed for research into more advanced robotic technologies.

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Miami Herald: Robot learns one step at a time

Like small child, smart machine develops slowly

BY ROBERT S. BOYD

Knight Ridder News Service

Published Wednesday, September 12, 2001

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Instead of stuffing its computer brain with elaborate instructions, like Big Blue, the IBM chess champion, Weng teaches his robot a few basic skills and then lets it learn on its own by interacting with its environment.

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Ananova – Robot mimics movement of humans

Story filed: 20:03 Monday 10th September 2001

Scientists in Japan say they’ve developed a robot that can observe and imitate the movement of humans.

The robot, called DB, watched a one-metre-long stick being balanced vertically on the palm of a hand for about 20 seconds.

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Ananova – Fujitsu to unveil miniature humanoid robot

Story filed: 13:38 Monday 10th September 2001

Fujitsu has announced the development of a miniature humanoid robot for scientific research.

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The diminutive robot – which stands at less than 50 centimetres tall – can also be used to develop systems that simulate movement on two legs.

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Sony sees a robot family in every home

Jan Paschal

Sunday, September 9, 2001 at 20:00 JST

NEW YORK — Instead of a chicken in every pot, Japan’s electronics giant Sony Corp. sees a robot family in every household.

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Now Sony is revving up to sell two new AIBO playmates — ivory-coloured Latte and charcoal-coloured Macaron — for $850 each. The robots look like roly-poly puppies and, like all AIBOs, are equipped with digital cameras. They cost a little more than half the $1,500 price of second-generation AIBO, launched late last year.

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||| AIBO Homepage |||

AIBO “ERS-311 / ERS-312”

-Mode indicator

-Horn light

-Head

-Stereo microphone

-Distance sensor

-Color camera

-Speaker

-Paw switches

-Back light

-Pause button

-Tail switch

Mass Approx. 1.5 kg (3 lb 3 oz) (including the battery pack and the “Memory Stick”)

Dimensions Approx. 177 ‘ 280 ‘ 240 mm ( 6 ‘ 11 1 / 8 ‘ 9 7 / 8 inches) (w/h/d)

15 degrees of freedom in total

Inputs : Charging terminal

Input Switches : VOLUME switch

Visual Input : 100,000 pixel CMOS image sensor

Audio Input : Stereo microphone

Audio Output : Speaker

Internal sensors : Infrared distance sensor

Acceleration sensor

Switches in the head, on the tail(ibi-axis analog), and on the paws( x 4)

Inclination sensor

Vibration sensor

Power consumption : Approx. 5W

Operable duration : Approx. 2.5 hours

Dimensions : Approx. 177 x 280 x 240mm

Mass : Approx. 1.5kg (incl.battery pack and “memory stick”)

Operating temperature : 5C to 35C

Operating humidity : 10% to 80%

Storage temperature : -20C to 60C

Storage humidity : 10% to 90%

||| AIBO Homepage |||

Say hello to the new AIBO LM series! LATTE & MACARON are the latest AIBO Entertainment Robots. They are your new robot companions with the ability to communicate with their four senses touch, sight, hearing and balance. For AIBO, it’s main unit is just body without heart. In that case, AIBO will repeat simple basic movement.(*)

AIBO needs “heart” which is Memory Stick’s AIBO-ware for deciding it’s function and characteristics. There are 2 types of AIBO-ware which are “AIBO Pal” and “AIBO Life”.

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Ananova – Age of humanoid robots is nigh, says expert

Story filed: 17:03 Monday 3rd September 2001

An android expert says walking humanoid robots with legs and arms will be part of society by the year 2050.

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CNET.com – News – Investor – News – Story

Sony unveils new robo-pups to play with AIBO

9/4/01 9:00 PM

Source: Reuters

By Jan Paschal

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In Japan, where Sony Corp. plans a similar “birth announcement” for ivory-colored Latte and charcoal gray-colored Macaron, there will be a marketing twist.

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[same article as below]