Experimental Studies on Humans and Humanoids

Hirochika Inoue
Department of Mechano-Informatics
University of Tokyo

Time and Place

1305 Newell-Simon Hall
Refreshments 3:15 pm
Talk 3:30 pm

Abstract

For a long time, robots have been considered "objects to be created". After four decades of robotics research, we are reaching a new stage of robotics R&D. Companies are going to provide various robots to the end-user market. The Humanoid Robotics Project of Japan intends to develop and provide a platform for humanoid R&D. Now, robots are not only objects to be built, but also tools to be used for studying humans and robots. We can view a humanoid as a human-shaped robot, but also, we can recognize the humanoid as novel computing machinery, which can not only compute, but also behave. We are obtaining a powerful new tool for the experimental study of humans and humanoids.
This talk consists of three parts, taking examples from our research at the University of Tokyo. In Part One, four key technologies of robotics will be introduced: (1) sensor-implanted soft tactile skin, (2) robots with spine as an example of soft mechanical structure, (3) real-time 3D robot vision systems and (4) simulation and motion planning of robots and environments. Part Two deals with system integration. First, the remote-brained approach to robotics is introduced with some experimental examples. Then, the study of humanoid robots at our laboratory will be introduced: H5, a prototype human-shaped robot, designed for the study of dynamic walk; and H6 and H7, humanoid platforms for integrating various functions of softness and intelligence. In Part Three, the HRP project, a Japanese national project for R&D of humanoid and human-friendly robotics will be introduced. The project attempts a platform-based R&D for seeking applications of humanoid robots in practical settings.

Speaker Biography

Prof. Inoue is one of the pioneering leaders of robotics research. He has engaged in robotics research since 1965 when he entered into the graduate school. The fields of robotics in which he made pioneering contributions include bilateral control of robot arm, visual guidance of robot motion, development of high speed robot vision, view and visibility of environment, learning by seeing, and development of humanoid platform. His research interest covers wide aspects of robotics; mechanical design, force control, vision based robotics, language, planning, and system integration. Currently he is the project leader of Japanese National Project for Humanoid Robot R&D and also he conducted a JSPS Research for the Future Project on soft robotics.
Prof. Inoue is the President of Board of ISRR (International Symposium of Robotics Research).

Speaker Appointments

For appointments, please contact the Takeo Kanade (tk@cs.cmu.edu).