The Nuvo--a budget rival for the Sony Qrio?
From robot startup ZMP comes the Nuvo, a small humanoid robot that could well find its way onto a lot of Christmas lists. Ours, certainly. At Y3 mn the current version is not cheap, but the plan is to release a mass-produced version for Y500,000 by the end of the year. The more expensive version includes extras such as a software development kit and the ability to modify the hardware, and is aimed at universities and research institutions.
The robot is 39cm tall and 2.5kg in weight, but packs in a lot; one major feature is the inclusion of an NTT DoCoMo 3G FOMA terminal that is hooked into the head camera, and it's possible to control the robot remotely using a FOMA phone while watching the headcam images in real time. It can also be controlled from a PC via Bluetooth. The Nuvo also includes a voice-recognition system.
The unusual-looking design (which reminds us more than a little of Storm's watches) is the work of Kiyoyuki "Ken" Okuyama, the man responsible for the Ferrari Enzo.
Update: More videos at MYCOM PC Web, of the robot walking, standing up from a lying position, and, best of all, dancing like your uncool uncle at a wedding disco. Also, one point we forgot to mention yesterday is the Nuvo's wardrobe--sports shoes to cushion the shock of walking and aid grip, and a body protector to cushion it in the event of a fall; both were designed by Mizuno.
[Via ITmedia; more photos and a Windows media video of the robot walking at CNET Japan]
Posted by aragoto at March 02, 2004 11:27 PM | TrackBack