Cheap, Open-design Humanoid Bot - Runs Linux, Too

An anonymous reader points out Linux Devices' coverage of a new Linux-based humanoid robot: "Four companies in Japan have created a low-cost, user-programmable humanoid robot targeting educational and research applications. ... The HRP-2m Choromet stands about 14 inches tall, and is capable of walking upright on two legs. It can also assume supine or prone positions, and stand up from either." As the reader summarizes, "It runs user-space humanoid motion application software and real-time Linux on a business-card-sized computer with a SuperH processor. Be sure to check out the video of the little guy without his plastic batman suit."

Why walking?

[jours]

1. Build walking robot
2. Install Linux
3. ...
4. Profit???

Seriously, why so much interest in building a walknig robot though? Sure it's an interesting research project, but what's the real application of a robotic biped? IANARE (I Am Not A Robot Engineer), but it seems to me that there are a lot more efficient ways for a robot to move - wheels, treads, etc - than trying to master walking. By the time you're done adding motors, sensors and processing power to make it walk, I imagine there's precious little left to make it actually *do* anything useful.

Re:Why walking?

[spagetti_code]

Because many of the environments we want these devices in
are better suited to bipeds (like us).

Stairs and ladders, for example, are two of the many
environments they will need to be proficient in.
Not to mention robotic soccer.

And besides - the look cool and cool sells.
(although at $170k - probably not too well.

Re:Why walking?

[Wind_Walker]

More efficient ways? Sure. More practical ways? Nope.

For better or worse, the human world is designed around bipedal movement. Steps, doors (especially revolving doors), chairs, curbs, desks... They all assume certain things, amongst which is bipedal movement.

The more we program robots to be bipedal, the more we learn about bipedal movement from a purely analytical perspective. And the more we learn about bipedal movement, the closer we become to making real "helper" robots that are seen in countless Sci-Fi stories.

Re:Why walking?

[Pharmboy]

Except upstairs or downstairs in any two story home. Or even up the steps to get in a single story home. Most people would buy a mini robot, or a full sized robot that is designed for personal use, at HOME. Not at fully modern government buildings and malls which are subject to the laws you speak of.

Cheap

[slashkitty]

You can't say it's cheap if it doesn't even have a price yet. It's for us to decide if it's really cheap when it's priced.

If it's $100, then it would be cheap. It's probably more like $20,000, which, I would not consider "cheap"... More accessible for some, yet, cheap, no... and, it's not even accessible yet.

I hope the firmware is open too

[alegrepublic]

Running Linux would not be good enough unless the firmware is open source too. It would not be fun to have to call a close-source API that implements pre-programmed routines instead of providing raw access to sensors and motors. Otherwise, I would think they use Linux for two reasons: propaganda and freeloading... I hope they are honestly and carry on the promise to deliver a really open system.