Ubtech bipedal robot tackles stairs, soccer at CES 2018
Science
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If you ever wanted your own robot buddy best friend, while that reality is now possible.
This is a walking bi-pedal robot from Ubtech, it needs to come out in 2019.
Not only can it be a companion in your home but also a security guard, bottler, a nun, a dance partner even.
A soccer partner.
UBTECH has been working on all sorts of robots but getting a walking assistant robot at this scale, has been a big goal for the company.
And the team sees the future of assistance, to be able to walk around obstacles in the home.
And yes, this one can even go downstairs.
What was extra impressive was how quiet it was while walking compared to other bipedal robots we've seen at this scale, like Honda's ASIMO
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Now this Walker model gets about three to four hours of use in one charge, and that's also about one hour of continuous walking.
Before, it would need to pair up with a wireless charging station.
It would be something where it could sit against a wall panel for conductive charging on the back side.
Now as you may have noticed, Walker does not have arms, at least not yet.
The team is still working on that for the next phase.
They say maybe in two or three.
Three years.
For now the sensors in its torso and touchscreen head help it recognize people, answer voice commands, and scan its surroundings.
The idea is that Walker will be your home companion to not just keep you company, but keep an eye on things, and serve as your smart home control center.
It would be like having a walking Amazon Alexa in your home.
In fact, the company is considering putting Alexa inside the walker.
The UBTECH team did reveal any prices details but something this larger is gonna be a major investment.
Think of it costing as much as a car.
During our demo at CES 2018 I had a little fun with Walker.
It can track objects like this soccer ball.
And as I move the ball away, it would follow the ball with the goal of trying to kick it, but if I move too fast for the ball, it would get unbalanced trying to chase it.
That's a good catch, I like Walkers ambition.
But the team is still working on his soccer skills.
As for his dancing skills though, this robot does know how to burst a move.
For CNET, I'm Bridget Carey at CES 2018.
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