Automata and Robots
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Research on Traditional Technology from the Edo Period and Modern Robots
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Episode 6: Robotics Technology -What Is the WIND Robot System?
Robots work for “human beings”. However, even “walking” is very hard for them to do.
Robotics technology is described in this episode. Robotics technology is technology used in “sensing, thinking and moving” and enables robots to sense things with sensors, think with a computer system and move motors. The WIND Robot System is an idea for use in creating the “sensing, thinking and moving” part as the computer system put on the user.
Robot applications can be divided into a variety of categories but the point is the purpose for what the smartness in “sensing, thinking and moving” is used.
In addition to robots working in factories, there are hobby robots and home electric appliances. Robots are made to support people, reduce inconvenience and make people happy. And thereby making them essential equipment in the field of welfare.
But a single robot would be insufficient. A system for use in operating robot is also very important. And the “robot system” itself is a robot. We will need to create a system to move robots around in the future.
If you were disabled and faced difficulty in moving your arms, legs or neck someday you would probably want to drive a car or use electric appliances using your unaffected parts. If you were confined to bed but can move your right arm you could use a video player, rice cooker or other electric appliance with your right arm alone. You can even drive a car using your unaffected body parts.
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WIND Robot System
(C)fuRo
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WIND Robot System
Put on the master controller and command through gestures.
Gestures
All right! Start acting.
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The WIND Robot System under development is a suit for operating robots you wear which can recognize the movements of the operator. It is a robot which senses, thinks and moves. The actions and gestures of humans are preset in the computer, and when the operator raises a hand, the robot makes an action that corresponds with that gesture. The robot does not imitate the gesture the operator makes. The operator controls the robot so that, for example, the robot begins walking when the operator raises their right arm.
With the WIND Robot System information transmitted by multiple high-performance sensors is controlled by a microcomputer mounted on the center of the back. Hallucigenia 01 and morph3 are also controlled using this technology and it will become possible to control various home electric appliances using it. The WIND Robot System is the system for use in operating future robots.
Robotics technology includes both manufacturing and theoretical technologies. I have already stated that any intelligent machine that can “sense, think and move” is a robot. A robot is an assembly of computers, sensors and motors which is also equipped with electronic circuits.
Let’s look inside an actual robot. When the cover of morph3, for example, is removed it has many mechanical components inside. The part under the arm cover in particular is very important. You can see a board with electronic components and bushy fibers, which is the computer.
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morph3
Jointly developed by fuRo and LEADING EDGE DESIGN
(Click the image to see the movie.)
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The arms and legs of morph3 glow when it moves, and are the recognition sensors for computers. Thirteen small computers are spread throughout the entire body of morph3, all of which move the robot in cooperation.
Many computers linked together are mounted in the legs. “morph3” cannot walk stably without sensing what pressure is being applied to which area of the bottom of the foot. So there are four sensors that sense pressure in each leg. It determines what kind of pressure is being applied to which area of the bottom of the foot with small computers and stably walks by moving motors mounted in its legs.
There are also touch sensors in its body. What is important here is the control system inside the robot. The main computer in the chest of morph3 controls the 13 small computers mounted in the body. Just as humans have the cerebellum and cerebrum, robots have a main computer. The small computers would move the arms and legs independently without the main computer.
For example, the artificial intelligence of the main computer thinks about “How the robot should move.” The main computer considers the status of the entire body, thinking, “How can the robot maintain the balance of the entire body?” The small computers upon receiving information from the main computer move the arms and legs.
Robots are like an orchestra. The computer in the chest is the conductor while the computers in the arms and legs are the violinists and flutists.
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Cerebrum, cerebellum and nerves of robot
(C)fuRo
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Cerebrum, cerebellum and nerves of robot
Many computers work “in cooperation.”
Cerebrum “thinking”
(main computer)
Nerves
(computer network)
Cerebellum X 13
(sub computers)
138 sensors, 30 motors
“Seeing (sensing),” “Moving”
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Takayuki Furuta
Director of Future Robotics Technology Center of Chiba Institute of Technology
Engaged in developing humanoid robots as the leader of the Kitano Symbiotic System Project, JST robot development group. Has been the director of the Future Robotics Technology Center of Chiba Institute of Technology since June 2003. Developed the humanoid robot “morph3” in 2002 and “Hallucigenia 01” which was produced by integrating automobile technology with robot technology in 2003.
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Automata and Robots 
