NeCoRo - The Lovely Cat
NeCoRo is a cat type communication robot developed by Omron Corporation, Japan. NeCoRo can respond appropriately to an individual’s emotions and movement. It can also have its own feelings and desires, which will be shown to its owner. Moreover, it can remember its name so that it can acknowledge its name when called.
How does it achieve so many fantastic goals?
Firstly, it has sensing and recognition system. The tactile sensors locating in its head, chin and back can sense whether there is a stroking or patting on it. Apart from this, there is a microphone in its head so that it has the ability to detect sound and recognize the source. This is why it can remember its name after being called many times. A sight sensor in its nose prevents it from hitting on any obstacles. Last, an internal acceleration sensor helps it to recognize its position when cradling and spinning around.
Besides the sensors, the 15 actuators also play an important role. Its four legs, neck, tail, and even its eyelids and ears are equipped by actuators with many movement patterns. In addition, its mouse is equipped with a speaker which can vocalize 48 different cat sounds.
Apart from hardware, the software is also well developed. Through the recognition feedback, its feelings of anger, satisfaction, and uneasiness are generated. And according to physiological rhythms, it can express sleepiness or cuddling. Furthermore, a learning function and growth functions can let it behave like a real cat, which can communicate with its owner and respond appropriately.
NeCoRo is cool and lovely. It will definitely bring people happiness.
Reference:
http://www.necoro.com/newsrelease/index.html
Liu Ming U048695H
