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Technology Hardware

Segway-Based Robot Opens Doors 158

Posted by simoniker from the only-when-turned-on dept.
Roland Piquepaille writes "In this short article, Technology Review tells us that Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) researchers have built a new robot, named Cardea, which is able to push open doors and has the bottom half of a Segway scooter. Cardea will be five feet tall with a torso, three arms, a variety of sensors, and a human-like head with expressive features and vision, and mounted on a Segway base. More details and references are contained in this review which also includes several pictures. For even more details, go to the Cardea Project homepage."
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Segway-Based Robot Opens Doors More

Segway-Based Robot Opens Doors

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  • Johnny 5 is Alive! (Score:5, Funny)

    by Aqua OS X ( 458522 ) on Thursday November 13, 2003 @05:24AM (#7462414)
    Holy %$#@.... it's the robot from "Short Circuit" !!

  • Battery life? (Score:3, Insightful)

    by ArbiterOne ( 715233 ) on Thursday November 13, 2003 @05:30AM (#7462433) Homepage
    The primary problem with two-wheeled robots so far has been balance. This project solves that, not only with the Segway platform, but with a kickstand that extends when batteries cut out.

    How long do the batteries last, anyway? It's not much good if they run out in, say, five minutes.

    A recent article in SciAm described small robots that can be thrown through windows and will run around and map the area. I wonder if this robot could do the same? But what if it runs into stairs?

    Just some thoughts.

    • Re:Battery life? (Score:4, Funny)

      by kfg ( 145172 ) on Thursday November 13, 2003 @05:40AM (#7462463)
      But what if it runs into stairs?

      Ah, the most fearsome killing machine in the universe, foiled by a staircase.

      Well, at least this robot can thank its lucky stars it isn't made by gluing tennis ball halves all over the outside of an upsidedown dustbin.

      KFG

    • Re:Battery life? (Score:4, Interesting)

      by Blangopolis ( 695958 ) on Thursday November 13, 2003 @05:44AM (#7462483)
      This robot's design is actually pretty cool. If you go to this site [mit.edu] you will see a bunch of really cool pictures, and even a video about the Cardea. It has three arms, which may seem awkward at first, but actually it is a pretty ingenius design. The "extra" arm isn't really its own arm, it is more of an extension of the left arm that allows the Cardea to open doors and hold objects better.
    • "How long do the batteries last, anyway? It's not much good if they run out in, say, five minutes."

      You know it's going to be said sooner or later so I'll get it out of the way:
      The human body generates more bioelectricity than a 120 Volt battery and over 25,000 BTUs of body heat. Combined with a form of fusion, the machines had found all the energy they would ever need.
      ...mod me to hell, but don't say I didn't warn ya!

  • Balance? (Score:5, Interesting)

    by NatePWIII ( 126267 ) <nathan@wilkersonart.com> on Thursday November 13, 2003 @05:30AM (#7462434) Homepage
    Just a dumb question, but if I remember correctly the regular segway works by having the operator balance it somewhat like a bicycle, hence the small learning curve to operate the Segway.

    So my question is, does this robot have some sort of balancing algorithm programmed into it so it doesn't fall flat on its face?

    • Re:Balance? (Score:2, Interesting)

      by ArbiterOne ( 715233 )
      It works with a gyroscope in the base that tilts it back and forth so the center of gravity remains in the center.

      That's why you can lean forward on a Segway and still stay up.

    • Just a dumb question, but if I remember correctly the regular segway works by having the operator balance it somewhat like a bicycle, hence the small learning curve to operate the Segway.

      Nope, the segway works by using a gyroscope to detect balance, then driving the wheels forwards or backwards to keep balance. (Think; those guys in the circus who have those long poles with plates/etc on their heads and run backwards and forwards to keep the poles balanced).

    • Re:Balance? (Score:3, Funny)

      by rf0 ( 159958 )
      I would hope it would come pre-programmed and already know how to balance. Last thing you want is your shiny nice new robot falling over and smashing your priceless ming vase

      Rus
    • It would be cool to see this thing use a unicycle like embrio [slashdot.org]
      Since that already have balancing techniques etc built into it, it might be even easier to use it.

    • That's the genious! (Score:5, Insightful)

      by Jeppe Salvesen ( 101622 ) on Thursday November 13, 2003 @10:26AM (#7463605)
      The Segway balances itself, actually you shift your weight to control it.

      Now, the genious part. You robot only has to shift its weight in order to move about. You've eliminated a lot of relatively hard problems by piggybacking on the segway.

      It's really kinda like using a library instead of implementing everything from scratch.
      • Actually, the robot doesn't have to shift its weight. It just has to temporarily move backward a tiny bit to cause the unit to tip forward, and then scoot forward at the precise speed necessary to keep it in balance.

        It's sort of like how motorcycle riders twitch left before leaning into a right turn.

        The iBot wheelchair (which is what the Segway technology spun off from) uses this to good effect -- the rider doesn't have to move his body at all -- he can command the wheelchair left/right back/forward with
        • Err, the robot doesn't have to do any of that. If it communicates directly with the lower Segue portion, it can merely issue a "forward" command to the Segue controller, and that's that. No need for it to duplicate what a human rider would need to do.

          Tom
          • That's correct -- the "forward" command from the controller to the RMP would cause the Segway platform to first move back, causing the whole robot to tip forward -- at which point the platform will then move in the forward direction.

  • Robot that can open doors. (Score:4, Funny)

    by nilsjuergens ( 69927 ) on Thursday November 13, 2003 @05:32AM (#7462438) Homepage Journal

    This is such a good thing, as somehow nobody has ever been able to invent a door that opens on its own. But now Johnny 5 comes to the rescue!

  • Two wheels (Score:2, Insightful)

    by Culturejammer ( 541174 )
    Shouldn't robots get away from the 'two wheel' system? I mean, it's going to be limited to (fairly) flat plane areas. I would think the IBOT [dekaresearch.com] would make a much better base for a robot.

  • What else can it do ? (Score:3, Interesting)

    by Mr Europe ( 657225 ) on Thursday November 13, 2003 @05:36AM (#7462451)
    Three arms and a "head". Two cameras. But what else can it do besides opening doors. The fact that it looks somehow human with it head eyes and hands is of course nice but finally more important is what is inside the head. Can it be commanded verbally ? Can it be taught simple tasks without programming ? I mean that opening a door is nothing today...
  • i can open doors... whys there no post about ME?!

  • Think tank... (Score:3, Funny)

    by Parallex ( 584658 ) on Thursday November 13, 2003 @05:41AM (#7462465)
    - Five feet tall
    - 3 arms
    - a variety of sensors
    - mounted on a segway base

    Oh and let's throw in a human-like head so that people can feel at home with it rolling around...

    Innovation I tells ya!

  • Predictable (Score:3, Insightful)

    by JamesD_UK ( 721413 ) on Thursday November 13, 2003 @05:41AM (#7462469) Homepage

    I personally welcome our segway based robot overlords.

    Seriously though this is an intresting hack/use of segway technology. It'd be interesting to learn how it copes with some of the limitations of the technology. What happens when the batteries run out? That could be an expensive crash. How does it cope with moving over larger obstacles that a segway rider might just be able to cope with. I guess I really don't know enough about how Segway+Human works to think about possible solutions. Anyhow, well done MIT!

  • Halloween (Score:2, Funny)

    by Space cowboy ( 13680 )
    How scarey would *that* have been to be seen wandering down the highway on Halloween....

    Simon.
    • "How scarey would *that* have been to be seen wandering down the highway on Halloween...."

      Do you mean "Gives me the creeps!" scary, or "It's gonna fall on me!" scary?

  • stupid robot-joke (Score:5, Funny)

    by Harald Paulsen ( 621759 ) * on Thursday November 13, 2003 @05:43AM (#7462482) Homepage
    Two Cardeas roll into a bar..

    ..which is really stupid since the second one should have seen it.

  • Segway RMP (Score:5, Insightful)

    by UWC ( 664779 ) on Thursday November 13, 2003 @05:46AM (#7462487)
    The base for that robot is an official development platform called, I think, the Segway RMP, not just "the bottom half of a Segway." My college has one, too. It acts a bit differently from a regular Segway and can reasonably easily be remote controlled, balancing itself with up to 250 pounds on it. At the moment, it seems they've stuck a robot torso on top of the RMP. Not to say that's not a reasonable accomplishment in itself. I'm an undergrad research assistant in a robotics lab, and real-world application can be extremely frustrating.
    • I think it's really cool to see the technical achievements (I won't say innovations - Segway is more an elegant piece of engineering than an innovation) of the Segway put to good use. The eponymous product is clearly useless, and is rightfully derided. But the underlying tech is neat, and it will be something of a happy ending if the technology is repurposed and serves - quite literally - as a platform for other developments.

      From the he existence of this development platform it seems that this outcome is b
      • I won't say innovations - Segway is more an elegant piece of engineering than an innovation.

        In fact, Segway is an innovation, a product innovation, to be exact. It is also an invention. Check the definitions.

        As for the usefulness, give it some time and then judge it. Kamen might have made a mistake estimating the adoption rate (or rather he and the investors made a bet), but that doesn't mean the product is bad. Many people bought it, many people use it, I haven't saw a lot of negative comments from the
    • Yes, this is part of the overall Segway RMP project. These things are really cool. It's being done by IPTO, a department in DARPA.

      http://www.darpa.mil/ipto/programs/mars/rmp.htm [darpa.mil]

      Mr. Spleen

  • It doesn't have a brain [motorola.com] the size of a planet, but it's job is suitable for Marvin.
    • Can It defend itself like marvin did against the tank? "Guess what weapons I have!"

      And when will we have a floating robot like Colin? Especially one that can take the weight of an average human and save him from falling from a 30+ story highrise building of a publishing company.

      DRACO-

  • Third arm? (Score:4, Funny)

    by nacturation ( 646836 ) <nacturation AT gmail DOT com> on Thursday November 13, 2003 @06:06AM (#7462541) Journal
    Cardea will be five feet tall with a torso, three arms...

    Dare I ask where the placement of that third arm is?

  • what a waste (Score:2, Insightful)

    by ryanw ( 131814 )
    It only accounts for one type of door handle. The handle has to be at 90 degrees and be the type that pushs down. Any type of door knob would just fluster this expensive two wheeled disaster just waiting to happen. Though the last few seconds shows how easily this thing gets excited. Some guy talks demanding to it and it springs up some sort of levers in front and back of the thing... I don't really know what to make of that.
    • Any type of door knob would just fluster this expensive two wheeled disaster just waiting to happen

      That's why it's important that any general purpose robot has a built in minigun, rocket launcher or chainsaw, as a solution for any problems it encounters which cannot be solved by technological means.

  • Minsky was right (Score:2, Insightful)

    by Anonymous Coward
    Too many robotics researchers are messing about with toys rather than trying to solve the hard problems. This is yet more grist to his mill.

    "The worst fad has been these stupid little robots," said Minsky. "Graduate students are wasting 3 years of their lives soldering and repairing robots, instead of making them smart. It's really shocking."

    http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,5871 4- 2,00.html?tw=wn_story_page_next1
    • Good grief, another brilliant invention from the self-absorbed folks at the MIT AI Lab. Minsky was quite right with his [wired.com]
      comments. In fact, all the hard work of real engineering in this "door-opening robot" was done by the Segway people in designing the inertial feedback control systems that stabilize the thing. The Hackers seem to have used this as the basis for a glorified Lego MindStorms project. Even the referenced article in MIT's Tech Review concedes that the really clever bit is in the Segway's "
      • ah, I see, you want fully sentient robots that can't open doors because folks spent all their time on the mind, and none on the hand.

        There's plenty of problems to solve in this area, I don't see much use for throwing stones. Unless, of course, it's to inflate your own ego enough that you have to confidence to show us your robot.
        • It seems to me like this is engineering, not science. It's an interesting idea, and a novel use of technology but it doesn't really advance the sphere of human knowledge. However, maybe they can use this new design of robot to produce new science (which I expect is their goal anyway).
  • ...without falling off. Headline: "Robot smarter than U.S. President - Scientists predict they will surpass humans within 100 years".
  • The question is why? [xmission.com]
    • But it's stupid anyway. Segway can only balance in one axis (forwards/backwards) and the arms can move sideways. If you need dynamic balancing then you need two-axis dynamic balancing, so again, why Segway? And that's one big if. Making the robot's centre of gravity very low (lead-acid batteries, anyone?) would probably make the robot stable enough without all that expensive electronics.

      And replying to one's own comments is stupid.

      • > Making the robot's centre of gravity very low (lead-acid batteries, anyone?) would probably make the robot stable enough without all that expensive electronics.

        By extending that argument, wouldn't evolution optimize animals and people to have low center of gravity?

        I think there's a lot to be said for dynamic stability. I'm not saying the Segway is the *right* approach. But it's the first mass-produced dynamically-stabilized mobile platform.

        I personally think a more compact version of the iBot whee
  • Wake me up when it can give handjobs or viciously attack and destroy other robots or something. Its probably not a good idea to try to include both those options though. I'd just stick to one of them and perfect it.

  • Run upstairs! (Score:3, Funny)

    by pubjames ( 468013 ) on Thursday November 13, 2003 @06:31AM (#7462621)

    Distressed damsel: Help, help! These new door opening robots have gained self-awareness and are trying to take over the world!

    Hero: Quick, run upstairs!

    • Distressed damsel: Help, help! These new door opening robots have gained self-awareness and are trying to take over the world!

      Hero: Quick, run upstairs!

      [Damsel and hero are at the top of the stairs, watching the robots]

      Damsel: What are they doing? They're whispering...

      Hero: Plotting some foul deed, no doubt.

      Damsel: Oh no! They're opening all the doors, letting in a nasty cold draft!

      Hero: Those evil fiends! We have to do something quick!

      Damsel: There's only one man who can save us now! Mild-mann
  • I never thought we'd see a race of galactic overlords that were less capable of handling stairs than the Daleks.
  • Building a Balancing Scooter...

    link [tlb.org]
  • My cat could open the sliding door to the laundry! It also went to the loo in a drain besides the real loo! Also, i didnt teach my cat to do this, it learnt how to do it!

    Maybe this computer could have learnt something from my cat?

  • Can it open revolving doors... (Score:5, Funny)

    by corebreech ( 469871 ) on Thursday November 13, 2003 @07:02AM (#7462681) Journal
    ...without ending up in an endless loop?
  • ... about those kick-out-leg-things. Other wise it would also be the first robot to do G.W.Bush impressions, by falling over.

  • The Jetsons (Score:2, Interesting)

    by Mr Europe ( 657225 )
    It somehow reminds me of the Rosie-robot from "The Jetsons" cartoons from the 60'ies and again in the 80'ies.
    If don't remember, check it here:
    http://www.cybercomm.nl/~ivo/photo_ROSIE.ht ml
    or
    http://www.jeffbots.com/rosie.html
  • Why invest money in researching wheeled robots? Is not legged robots better for all purposes except speed?
  • As you can see, Just like in software, in hardware you can also take existing concepts, ideas and expand on them or derive other things from them. This moves technology. Dear MS execs, It is not a cancer nor does it harm us. Learn to adapt and play with the team!

  • The Terrible Secret of Space! (Score:3, Funny)

    by bdowne01 ( 30824 ) on Thursday November 13, 2003 @08:13AM (#7462866) Homepage Journal
    Does this qualify as a pusher [somethingawful.com] or shover robot?
  • does it derive pleasure from opening doors for you, and satisfaction from closing them with the knowledge of a job well done?

    thank you, the marketing division of the sirius cybernetics corporation!
  • Not sure if this is off topic, I think not.
    I've always been impressed with this Sony robot project. Kinda strange it's never been mentioned on /. Have a look. [sony.net]
    Now, it may not be the fastest robot you've seen, but it sure isn't the slowest (and they are constantly developing it, so I bet it will become faster over time), and the variety of movements and its capability of balancing is quite stunning. I wonder how hard it would be to implement a comparatively simple seeming feature such as opening doors.
  • I wonder if it can pull doors open, and how much trouble it would have navigating a real world... I for one always pull/push doors every combination except for the right one before I get anywhere....
  • I can just imagine it now...

    "Warning! Warning! Battery Low. Batte..."

    Creeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaak. Thump.

    Bzzzt.

  • IS ALIVE!
  • a dog. Forget the terrors of nanotechnology run amuck. I'm scared of dogs acquiring the ability to open refrigerator doors. Cataclysmic chaos. Be afraid. Be very afraid.

  • Choose building a robot that opens doors. Choose not to tell anyone why. Choose a flailing arm that hits door handles. Choose mounting this arm on the top half of the robot for maximum lever-instability-badness. Choose a two-wheeled inherently unstable platform. Choose compensating for bad design with electronic gadgetry. Choose a kick stand kludge for when the robot inevitably keels over.

    Try designing a better door.

    Or if you really need a robo-butler at least give it tracks and a low center of gravity.

  • Walmart already has the invisible variety of these.
  • Is it just me or does this look like Rosie's great grandmother?
  • I see some use for this... like a mailbot or something, but then again stuff like this has been done before. the ony good thing about this is that it's on a segway.

    I imagine a robot on a segway can move alot faster than a robot on treads or wheels, and is probably alot more maneuverable at higher speeds... i see a robot moving around cubicles or something to deliver a memo at the speed of a person running.

    but like i said before, there's already practical solutions for this and none of them have caught o

    • i see a robot moving around cubicles or something to deliver a memo at the speed of a person running.

      I can deliver a memo to everyone in the office on multiple floors and even in offices around the world in seconds (or minutes at worst).

      I don't need a friggin robot zooming around the office delivering 'memos' and waiting to run me down as I pop-out of my cubicle to replenish my caffeine supply.

      Now give me one that can fetch my coffee and then we're talking.

  • With the advent of A.I......
    Need I say more?
  • You all are missing the point of this new Segway-based robot.

    If you don't already look suffiently dorky riding around on a Segway, now you can have a matching robot servant to open doors so you don't have to EVER dismount. ;) ;) ;)
  • Did you watch the movie?

    It can push an already open door open, by putting a metal stick on the door and extending it.

    What if the door is closed?

    And what's the thing with MIT and these kinds of fakey "news"?
  • I love the way MIT gets media attention but doesn't necessarily do things first or towards a final usable product.

    Segway soccer isn't new.

    You don't need arms to play soccer; all you need is a "kicker". CMU already has a segway robot to play soccer: http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/~robosoccer/segway/

    The point is that people on segways can play robots on segways. I'm not sure how adding arms and a head would help...

    Also, you will notice this research group lacks vision :) :
    http://www.ai.mit.edu/projects/cardea/te
  • Cardea looks like a Motie [amazon.com] as realized by Gyro Gearloose [pettho.com]. Friendly.

  • Wow... (Score:1, Funny)

    by Anonymous Coward

    A $10,000+ creation that opens doors. It won't stand a chance when I release my $20,000+ robot that digs holes and fills them back in.

  • ...a use for the Segway, or part of it anyway.
  • According to the marketting department of the Syrius Cybernetics Corp., a robot is your plastic pal who's fun to be with.

    I don't suppose this new machine is going to have a chronically depressed mood is it?
    Life, don't talk to me about life...
  • ...people feel the need for

    a human-like head with expressive features

    I think if robot designers would just quit trying to make robots look like people, real people would just get used to it. What is the value in spending so much time makeing robots look/act human? It seems like a real waste to me. Wouldn't it be better to spend more time making the robot do something useful. Sheesh if you want a friend, go to a bar or join some sort of club but for christ sakes stop trying to build one.

    The only
  • [metallic voice]
    "FA-THER! Give me legs!"
    [/metallic voice]

    Stefan
  • This reminds me of Rosie Jetson, the balancing maid on the olde time carton "The Jetsons". I think Rosie only had one wheel but it's a start. ;-) The one feature of being able to balance may turn out to be a big break for robot mobility and usefulness. Just think if all the designs there have been for keeping robots from falling over just going up ramps, let alone stairs.

    Rosie, fetch me my Uggs. :)

    LoB
  • Will we now get homeless robots opening doors at McDonald's and train stations asking "spare some amp-hours when you get out please?"
  • It's nice to see DARPA funding some projects with interesting possibilities.

    Of course, the goal is to also make the robot able "to safely interact with humans at eye level" (Technology Review) - which I doubt interests the military much...Unless they are curious about how safe it would be around other soldiers with a giant gun strapped to its back.

    Though, a gun-toting Doorman Robot would probably make people move through doorways faster. Perhaps the Robot Doorman would also have the ability to shoot ter
  • Like something no geek wants to do, like mow the lawn. Give the thing an electric lawnmower and put a electric weed whacker in it's third arm.

    Sure, this whole thing is ment to be a lesson in robotics, but I don't think they are going to get a better complemnt than "That's a cute trick."

  • Can it close doors, too? It's starting to get cold outside; bad enough when people leave the doors open.
  • http://robonaut.jsc.nasa.gov/status/Sep_Robonaut_S tatus_03.htm [nasa.gov]

    Robonaut + Segway = Really, really cool! And in response to the question I know will be asked (what's with those huge braces in all the photos), the reason those are there is this: just in case, for some reason, the thing falls down, they don't want it to hit the ground. The Segway RMP part is worth about $5000, but the Robonaut torso is worth either $250,000 or $750,000 (I can't remember which), and it banging into the ground would be a ve
  • At least this Segway-Robot was born in the USA, so unlike the Governor of California, it will be able to serve as President of the country...
  • Awesome, it could pinch both my nipples and give me a handjob at the same time! Please forward this to the folks at RealDoll.com
  • This is a cool idea that will certainly lead to better things.

    Honda has been developing a robot for awhile now. It was originally codenamed P1, but it's been publicly announced with the name Asimo, an unabiguous homage to "I, Robot" author Isaac Asimov.

    Asimo is intended to become a household robot, so it has legs instead of wheels. It's pretty adept and can already climb stairs. It doesn't approach the dexterity of Hollywood robots by any stretch. Last I knew Asimo was unable to figure out the height of s

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