Jinichi Yamaguchi

Motion entertainment by a small humanoid robot based on OPEN-R

In this paper we propose a novel application of a humanoid robot: Motion Entertainment, i.e., entertaining people with motion performance of a small humanoid robot. We develop a prototype humanoid robot named SDR-3X, which is about 50 cm height with 26 DOF. Performing to high tempo music with fast speed whole body motion can provide a big impact to an audience. Some key technologies such as a newly developed actuator enable the realization of SDR-3X. In addition, the use of OPEN-R is another key factor for quick development. We describe the architecture and the key technologies of SDR-3X. We also describe a demonstration of Motion Entertainment by SDR-3X.

A Small Biped Entertainment Robot

We propose a small biped entertainment robot proto-type, Sony Dream Robot (SDR) that realizes the Motion Entertainment and the Communication Entertainment. SDR-4X is the latest proto-type model which remains a small humanoid type robot and is expanding its capabilities of adaptability in home environment. New technologies are as follows. The first is newly developed small robot actuators named ISA-4, the second is Real-time Integrated Adaptive Motion Control. The third is a motion creating software system which enables to create SDRs attractive motion performance. Speech synthesis and singing voice production are also developed for communication entertainment applications. Biography: Mr. Ishida graduated from the graduate school of Waseda University in 1974 and joined the Sony Corporation after the graduation. From 1976 to 1977 he was a visiting researcher at the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory at Stanford University. In 1973, he developed the world-first humanoid robot Wabot-1 at the Waseda Universtiy and from 1997 he started to develop the Sony small humanoid robot at the Digital Creatures Laboratory, Sony Corporation. Since 2001, he has been the general manager of the Entertainment Robots Company, Sony Corporation. Mr. Ishida is members of The Robotics Society of Japan (RSJ), The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers and. The Society of Instrument and Control Engineers