Fujitsu rolls out expressive robot
The bright minds over at Fujitsu have rolled out an updated version of their HOAP (Humanoid for Open Architecture Platform) robot.
The HOAP-3 is a follow on to the HOAP-2 and HOAP-1, which was originally launched in 2001. After four years of development with Fujitsu's Automation and Laboratory divisions, the latest robot can now process and interpret sounds and visual images and has various sensors that let the robot produce high-level kinetic expressions.
The HOAP-3 measures 23.6 inches tall and weighs in at nearly 20 pounds. The mobile robot runs on the RTLinux operating system over a 1.1GHz Intel Pentium M processor with 802.11g wireless capabilities. That means you can either tether the robot to the network or control it over a local wireless network.
Fujitsu said it plans to ship 100 units over the next three years, targeting researchers in robotics and communication studies.
Other humanoid robots on the market include the mass-produced Sony QRIO and Honda Asimo as well as lesser-known models like the black chassis Chroino robot and the Repliee Q1, which looks like a human woman.