Robotic Blogs

Wu Zheying
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Robosapien is a toy robot that can be programmed to move, speak, lift objects and function in unique ways with certain modifications. Introduced to the world in year 2005 by Mark W Tilden, a robotic scientist who has worked with NASA before, it has since spawned several different versions – versions 1, 2, 3 of which version 1 has garnered the U.S toy industry’s TOTY (Toy Of The Year) Award. Versions 2 and 3 are not due for release, yet there are already several websites dedicated to the modification and hacking of the robot for different purposes. I will be talking about Robosapien version 1 from here on, as versions 2 and 3 are not out on the market yet.

Technology

Robosapien can be classified as belonging to a product of the area of biomorphics, an area that is a sub-field of robotics. Biomorphics is a robotic technology that centers around building robots around the theory of emulating the bio-mechanisms, sensors, structures of animals. In short, it is building robots inspired by the principles of biological systems. Though seemingly easy to achieve by animals and humans, movement and sensing is considered a considerable challenge in robotics and remains a field that is still at its infancy in research.

Features

Robosapien stands at 14 inches tall, and weighs 4.5 pounds with batteries. It uses 4 D size batteries for the main robot and 3 AAA size batteries for the remote control. The remote control uses infra-red technology to communicate and program the robot. Using infra-red technology means that the robot can be controlled not just by the manufacturer’s remote control, but by any device that has infra-red connectivity and a suitable software system. Most PCs and palm tops would be able to achieve that.

Robosapien is capable of walking unaided without the wheels on his feet. He can grasp and throw objects, speak with pre-recorded ‘caveman’ like voices and other sound effects.

It is able to be programmed with the remote control and can execute a total of 67 different commands.

Technical Specifications

The ingenuity of the Robosapien is that it does not even have an in-built microcontroller. Instead, it uses a combination of simple controllers to control the different parts of the robot function. A PCB is inbuilt into the center of the robot’s torso. The PCB houses 2 controllers, one for main functions like LED, shoulder, finger movement, the other for motor functions like upper torso, shoulder, hand, leg movements. It also has additional sonic and infra-red sensors together with accompanying clock generators and sound amplifiers. The simplicity of the PCB board with solder points allow hackers and hobbyist to modify the PCB board by changing resistor, capacitor values and attaching additional microcontrollers, DSPs, speech generators and other more novel devices to the robot. In addition, the entire robot casing can be detached and users can modify parts to their delight. This ups the value of the robot tremendously as users wont be bored with it after a few plays, there seems to be more things the robot can do!

The different functions of the are combined and programmed by using the remote control or with a downloadable software from the manufacturer, WowWee. For this purpose, the remote control is complicated with 27 different buttons.

The Robosapien is equipped with a basic level of programmability. You can string together commands to form your own macros or mini-programs. These programs can be played back as the result of pressing the "execute" button, as the result of touching one of the sensors on his hands or feet, or by putting him in "listen" mode and making a sharp noise. For example, you could program him to Burp, Fart, and then give someone the High Five any time someone touched his left hand.

Design

The robot’s design is based on sleek and smooth lines with contrasting colours of black and white, neutral colours that never die out with passing fads. The robot look feels like its being inspired by robot structures drawn by Japanese Manga (comic) artists. All in all, the robot looks really cool and stylish. Not forgetting the remote control, both complement each other in the looks department and definitely wets people’s appetite for a buying frenzy!

Uses/ Modifications

Since its introduction to the market, Robosapien has spun off many different hobbyist versions like ‘balancing Robosapien’, ‘dancing Robosapien’ and some serious dudes at the University of Freiburg have even modified their own robots to be able to play in the RoboCup, a prestigious Humaniod League of soccer style game. For this though, the robot was heavily modified, with its 'head' removed and refitted with image sensors, its torso dissected and rewired with a more powerful microcontroller. In this sense, the Robosapien has evolved to be a autonomous one as compared to its previously semi-autonomous status.

Future

The future of Robosapien looks good certainly. With version 2 already hitting the shelves as we speak and version 3 in the pipelines. Version 2 promises to be a robot with more 'soul', with upgraded behaviours and autonomous status. It also promises to be more bulky and expensive due to the added microcontroller circuit board and additional motors. With its infra-red communications mode hacked to that of a Radio Frequency one, the uses of this biomorphic metallic dude can be applied to the areas of military defence, survelliance, disaster-rescue situations, and as rehabilitative devices for disabled children and pets. Say hello to the world, say hello to Robosapien.

Robot Soccer Game: http://www.nimbro.net/rs/

References:
Review of the Robosapien by Gadget News:
http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/review/robosapien_robot_review
Hacking a Robosapien:
http://personal.strath.ac.uk/mark.craig/robot/hackrobos.shtml