Team announces Robovie-R Ver. 3 platform for assistive robots for elderly and handicapped individuals

On April 20, 2010, Vstone Co., Ltd., and Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International (ATR) held a press conference to announce their development of an assistive robot for elderly and handicapped individuals.

The companies announced Robovie-R Ver. 3, a research and development platform consisting of a 108-centimeter-tall humanoid robot for use in providing services targeting elderly and handicapped individuals.

Designers envision future robots accompanying elderly and handicapped individuals to give directions, help make purchases, and provide other assistance. The platform's features include a high level of mobility so that it can traverse studded pavement blocks and slopes (ramps used as alternatives to stairs) at a speed (about 2.5 km/h) on par with that of elderly individuals; functionality for communicating with people via a USB camera (its eyes), monaural microphone (its ears), and speaker (its mouth); and the ability to sense contact with sensors on its head, shoulders, hands, and feet and automatically avoid hazardous objects.

The platform offers an exceptional level of operability and expandability, including support for simple remote-controlled operation using a wireless controller such as those utilized by video game consoles and options including omnidirectional movement functionality (the ability to move instantaneously in any direction) and a gripping hand (for gripping and carrying objects).

It also incorporates a notebook computer that provides the ability to communicate with external sensors, mobile phones, and mobile handsets, reflecting designers' expectation that robots based on the platform will be used in a variety of applications, including capturing product information by communicating with sensors embedded in product shelving and guiding users to their destinations by communicating with embedded sensors in cities. Touching the robot's shoulder causes it to look up toward the user and extend a hand.

Company employees describe how they have taken walks holding hands with the robot. “It was more fun than I expected to walk hand-in-hand with the robot, and I realized how cute it is."

According to Mr. Miyashita of ATR, feedback from participants in a demonstration experiment conducted by the company where robots helped elderly individuals do their shopping indicates that many of the participants, who described the experience of shopping with a robot as “fun," are eager to communicate with others. He also noted that while many companies are developing robots to assist with movement and walking, there has been little activity regarding assistive robots in the field of communication.

Robovie-R Ver. 3 is being offered to universities and research institutions at the price of ¥3,990,000 (excluding tax), a significant reduction from the previous model's price of ¥1 million.

For more information please contact:
Vstone Co., Ltd.
Website: http://www.vstone.co.jp/

Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International
Website: http://www.atr.jp/