Tomotaka Takahashi
Encyclopedia
, roboticist
and founder of Kyoto University
's ROBO-GARAGE since 1999, creates humanoid robot
s known for their smooth, fluid motions and sleek appearance. Creating a number of humanoid robots entirely by himself, from concept through to production, Takahashi's designs have been featured in art exhibitions celebrating the creation of Astroboy, Time Magazine's Coolest Inventions of 2004, and promotions for Bandai
, Panasonic
, and Pepsi
. He has also worked with toy companies to produce relatively inexpensive robots for the hobby market, including those for Kyosho
(a Japanese toy manufacturer better known for their r/c cars).
In early 2008, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co.
unveiled Takahashi's 4.5-ounce, 6.7-inch robot mascot for Panasonic's Evolta line of alkaline batteries (the longest lasting of its type according to the Guinness Book of World Records), which climbed a 1,500-ft. Grand Canyon cliff as a publicity stunt/demonstration on May 24, 2008. The robot was powered by a pair of Evolta batteries, and used a tiny rope to ascend the cliff face, which took approximately 6 hours and 45 minutes.
Takahashi's largest robot to date is the Enryu T-52
, which he designed for Tmsuk Co. Ltd.. The Enryu (lit. "Support Dragon") is a 3.5m tall, 2.5m wide, 5t rescue robot that fully houses a human operator, but can also be controlled remotely if necessary via cameras located in the robot's head (including night vision
), and on its front, back, and flanks. Its two, 10m long hydraulic arms have 6 degrees of freedom and are capable of lifting a car or other debris in the event of an earthquake, fire, or other disaster. The arms also come equipped with individual CCD cameras, useful when small, precise movements are necessary. It moves on caterpillar-style treads at approximately 3 km/h. As of 2006 the Enryu was still in the testing phase, and in July 2007 Tmsuk Co. Ltd. unveiled the completely redesigned Enryu T-53 (it is unclear what [if any] role Takahashi had in this redesign).
He leads Team Osaka, a collaboration of: Osaka City, VSTONE Co. Ltd., Osaka University, Systec Akazawa, ROBO-GARAGE, and ATR Intelligent Robotics and Communication Laboratories, established in 2003 to develop robot technologies in Osaka Japan. Team Osaka competes in various robot competitions and events around the world, such as Robocup
(robot soccer). Team Osaka has won the Louis Vuitton Humanoid Cup in 2004, 2005 and 2006. They lost to the German team NIMBRO 5-7 in 2007.
His goal is to create robots with exaggerated movements, and to do that he prefers small, tough servos with metal gears, using the best hardware he can afford. The form, or outer shell, can be made in two ways: traditionally-sculpted molds which are vacuum sealed, or through the use of CAD software and a rapid prototyping
machine (3D printer technology).
(not to be confused with the $200 USD toy) and FT (female type) humanoid robot (specifications on these and others available via Kyoto University's Robo Garage website, see #External links), Takahashi has worked with toy manufacturer Kyosho to produce the MANOI series of humanoid robots. They come in a variety of styles, though they are based on the same mechanics as the Kondo KHR-1, known for its smooth and human-like movements. They retail for approximately $2000 USD (though they are currently not being sold outside of Japan), which is comparable to many other hobbyist kits.
-inspired plastic body, appealing to a broader audience than conventional kits. The robot is sold as a do-it-yourself hobby kit, which includes more than 100 pieces and PC software for programming movements and gestures, and can store and play up to 50 audio recordings. Powered by 3 Lithium polymer batteries, the PF01 uses an accelerometer
and other sensors in order to maintain its balance and avoid obstacles, and is capable of balancing on one foot and righting itself from a resting position. The robot can operate for 15–25 minutes on a full charge (time varies depending on the motions performed). It comes in a set color scheme of black and cream, but early models off the production line may be copper and gold, or silver and white.
Roboticist
A roboticist designs, builds, programs, and experiments with robots. Since robotics is a highly interdisciplinary field, roboticists often have backgrounds in a number of disciplines including computer science, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer engineering...
and founder of Kyoto University
Kyoto University
, or is a national university located in Kyoto, Japan. It is the second oldest Japanese university, and formerly one of Japan's Imperial Universities.- History :...
's ROBO-GARAGE since 1999, creates humanoid robot
Humanoid robot
A humanoid robot or an anthropomorphic robot is a robot with its overall appearance, based on that of the human body, allowing interaction with made-for-human tools or environments. In general humanoid robots have a torso with a head, two arms and two legs, although some forms of humanoid robots...
s known for their smooth, fluid motions and sleek appearance. Creating a number of humanoid robots entirely by himself, from concept through to production, Takahashi's designs have been featured in art exhibitions celebrating the creation of Astroboy, Time Magazine's Coolest Inventions of 2004, and promotions for Bandai
Bandai
is a Japanese toy making and video game company, as well as the producer of a large number of plastic model kits. It is the world's third-largest producer of toys . Some ex-Bandai group companies produce anime and tokusatsu programs...
, Panasonic
Panasonic
Panasonic is an international brand name for Japanese electric products manufacturer Panasonic Corporation, which was formerly known as Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd...
, and Pepsi
Pepsi
Pepsi is a carbonated soft drink that is produced and manufactured by PepsiCo...
. He has also worked with toy companies to produce relatively inexpensive robots for the hobby market, including those for Kyosho
Kyosho
is a model car company based in Tokyo, Japan. The brand operates internationally under the name KYOSHO. The company's main office is located in Chiyoda, Tokyo, and the production headquarters are located in Atsugi, Kanagawa....
(a Japanese toy manufacturer better known for their r/c cars).
In early 2008, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co.
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co.
, formerly known as , is a Japanese multinational consumer electronics corporation headquartered in Kadoma, Osaka, Japan. Its main business is in electronics manufacturing....
unveiled Takahashi's 4.5-ounce, 6.7-inch robot mascot for Panasonic's Evolta line of alkaline batteries (the longest lasting of its type according to the Guinness Book of World Records), which climbed a 1,500-ft. Grand Canyon cliff as a publicity stunt/demonstration on May 24, 2008. The robot was powered by a pair of Evolta batteries, and used a tiny rope to ascend the cliff face, which took approximately 6 hours and 45 minutes.
Takahashi's largest robot to date is the Enryu T-52
T-52 Enryu
The , sometimes referred to as "HyperRescueRobot", is a five-ton, 3 meter tall , hydraulically-operated robot, built to cut a path through debris for rescue workers, in the wake of an earthquake or other catastrophe. It can perform heavy lifting of up to one ton, and its arms have the full range of...
, which he designed for Tmsuk Co. Ltd.. The Enryu (lit. "Support Dragon") is a 3.5m tall, 2.5m wide, 5t rescue robot that fully houses a human operator, but can also be controlled remotely if necessary via cameras located in the robot's head (including night vision
Night vision
Night vision is the ability to see in low light conditions. Whether by biological or technological means, night vision is made possible by a combination of two approaches: sufficient spectral range, and sufficient intensity range...
), and on its front, back, and flanks. Its two, 10m long hydraulic arms have 6 degrees of freedom and are capable of lifting a car or other debris in the event of an earthquake, fire, or other disaster. The arms also come equipped with individual CCD cameras, useful when small, precise movements are necessary. It moves on caterpillar-style treads at approximately 3 km/h. As of 2006 the Enryu was still in the testing phase, and in July 2007 Tmsuk Co. Ltd. unveiled the completely redesigned Enryu T-53 (it is unclear what [if any] role Takahashi had in this redesign).
He leads Team Osaka, a collaboration of: Osaka City, VSTONE Co. Ltd., Osaka University, Systec Akazawa, ROBO-GARAGE, and ATR Intelligent Robotics and Communication Laboratories, established in 2003 to develop robot technologies in Osaka Japan. Team Osaka competes in various robot competitions and events around the world, such as Robocup
RoboCup
RoboCup is an international robotics competition founded in 1997. The aim is to develop autonomous soccer robots with the intention of promoting research and education in the field of artificial intelligence...
(robot soccer). Team Osaka has won the Louis Vuitton Humanoid Cup in 2004, 2005 and 2006. They lost to the German team NIMBRO 5-7 in 2007.
Philosophy
Inspired by his childhood obsession with Astroboy and other fictional characters, Takahashi decided to study robotics after completing a sociology degree. Takahashi prefers to work on smaller robots, as they are easier to handle and people have more realistic expectations of them. Unlike machines, which are cold and uninviting, humans can relate to robots because they have bodies like humans or animals, which opens up new possibilities for communication, which Takahashi believes is their greatest strength.His goal is to create robots with exaggerated movements, and to do that he prefers small, tough servos with metal gears, using the best hardware he can afford. The form, or outer shell, can be made in two ways: traditionally-sculpted molds which are vacuum sealed, or through the use of CAD software and a rapid prototyping
Rapid prototyping
Rapid prototyping is the automatic construction of physical objects using additive manufacturing technology. The first techniques for rapid prototyping became available in the late 1980s and were used to produce models and prototype parts. Today, they are used for a much wider range of applications...
machine (3D printer technology).
Commercially available robots
While most of Takahashi's work is not commercially available, such as his TachikomaTachikoma
A is a fictional artificial intelligence, walker/roller in the Ghost in the Shell universe; appearing in the manga, created by Masamune Shirow, and the Stand Alone Complex sub-universe. Nine of them are assigned to Section 9's use originally. They are spider like multi-legged combat vehicles,...
(not to be confused with the $200 USD toy) and FT (female type) humanoid robot (specifications on these and others available via Kyoto University's Robo Garage website, see #External links), Takahashi has worked with toy manufacturer Kyosho to produce the MANOI series of humanoid robots. They come in a variety of styles, though they are based on the same mechanics as the Kondo KHR-1, known for its smooth and human-like movements. They retail for approximately $2000 USD (though they are currently not being sold outside of Japan), which is comparable to many other hobbyist kits.
MANOI PF01
The MANOI PF01 (so-called PerFormance Type) is a 1:5 scale bipedal r/c robot, standing roughly 2 feet tall or 40 cm, and weighing 1.6 kg (battery included), with 17 degrees of freedom (neck x1, arm x3, leg x5). Rather than emphasizing the mechanical aspects of a robot's design, the PF01's internal parts are almost completely encased inside its animeAnime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
-inspired plastic body, appealing to a broader audience than conventional kits. The robot is sold as a do-it-yourself hobby kit, which includes more than 100 pieces and PC software for programming movements and gestures, and can store and play up to 50 audio recordings. Powered by 3 Lithium polymer batteries, the PF01 uses an accelerometer
Accelerometer
An accelerometer is a device that measures proper acceleration, also called the four-acceleration. This is not necessarily the same as the coordinate acceleration , but is rather the type of acceleration associated with the phenomenon of weight experienced by a test mass that resides in the frame...
and other sensors in order to maintain its balance and avoid obstacles, and is capable of balancing on one foot and righting itself from a resting position. The robot can operate for 15–25 minutes on a full charge (time varies depending on the motions performed). It comes in a set color scheme of black and cream, but early models off the production line may be copper and gold, or silver and white.
External links
- Official website Kyoto University's Robo Garage, specs on all of Takahashi's robots, includes videos of the robots in action
- Official website for Team Osaka
- Official website (Japanese) Tmsuk Co. Ltd.'s site for Enryu T-52
- Official Press Release for Pepsi NEX Boy promotion
- Official website (Japanese) for Panasonic's Evolta batteries and robot
- RoboCup Movie shows Takahasahi's VisiOn series in soccer action
- Reuters video report on Evolta's Grand Canyon climb
- Roboporium sales page with MANOI PF01's specs
- Youtube video showing an early prototype of Kyosho's MANOI series
- Youtube video showcasing some of MANOI PF01's movement capabilities
- Youtube video showcasing two MANOI PF01s
- Youtube video showcasing an unmodified Kondo KHR-1, the guts of the MANOI
- Youtube video showcasing Takahashi's TachikomaTachikomaA is a fictional artificial intelligence, walker/roller in the Ghost in the Shell universe; appearing in the manga, created by Masamune Shirow, and the Stand Alone Complex sub-universe. Nine of them are assigned to Section 9's use originally. They are spider like multi-legged combat vehicles,...
, the spider robot from Ghost in the ShellGhost in the Shellis a Japanese multimedia franchise composed of manga, animated films, anime series, video games and novels. It focuses on the activities of the counter-terrorist organization Public Security Section 9 in a futuristic, cyberpunk Japan .... - Youtube video showcasing FT, the Female Type robot