|
The Internet allows us to represent ourselves in a way that
we choose; we decide what information to share, and what image or "avatar" personifies
how we see ourselves. For some, an avatar can be a personal photo, while others
prefer a silly image or cartoon.
Now, advances in motion control and robotics is taking the
concept of an avatar and making it more like the movie of the same name –
allowing you to physically be somewhere remotely. Anybots Inc. has created a
robot named "QB" that they hope will one day be used in office settings as
stand-in avatars for people who can't attend meetings.
Unforeseen
Opportunity
QB wasn't originally built for this purpose, however. Two-and-a-half years ago,
the 150-lb robot was being used for manual labor applications. Overtime, QB's
team noticed that the robot was increasingly being used for communication tasks.
The machine was moving around, popping in-and-out of offices, and being used
for talking.
It was then that the team realized they could remove a
number of the manual labor features and turn QB into a "communications
specialist." The design evolved over time and now consists of a powered
two-wheel base, a telescoping pole, a head with two eyes, and a display screen.
Users can control the machine remotely with a wireless communication link.
Video images are transmitted from on-board cameras and
streamed over the Web. In the base, an Intel i5-based CPU controls the audio
and video compression, and then works in conjunction with an Atheros chip set
to send the information to the remote user.
In testing, many of the issues with QB were with the people
driving them. Due to the remote driver's inclination to bump into things, the
machine is equipped with a Segway-type balancing system, two cameras (one
forward-facing, one downward-facing), and a LIDAR optical sensing system that
can detect obstacles within two meters.
Can you see "avatars" like QB being used in office settings?
Source: Design
News
| 
Re: Will a Robotic Avatar Represent You?
