The SDR-4X was shown at ROBODEX 2002, an exhibition of "Robots as Partners", from Thursday March 28 to March 31 for 4 days at Pacifico Yokohama in the Yokohama Minatomirai area.
Prototype "SDR-4X" Main Specifications
CPU: 64 bit RISC processor (x2)
Main Recording Device: 64MB DRAM (x2)
Operating System: Aperios (Sony's original real time OS)
Robot Control Architecture: OPEN-R
Control Program Supplying media: 16MB Memory Stick
Joint Degrees of Freedom: Neck: 4 degrees of freedom, Body: 2 degrees of freedom, Arms: 5 degrees of freedom (x2), Legs: 6 degrees of freedom (x2); total 28 degrees of freedom + 5 fingers on each hand
Internal Sensors Distance Detection Infrared Distance Sensor: head x1, hands x2, total 3
Acceleration Detection Trunk: X, Y, Z/3 axes, Legs: X, Y/2 axes
Angular Rate Detection Trunk: X, Y, Z/3 axes
Foot Sole Sensor Power Sensor (each leg: 4 x 2 = total 8)
Thermo Sensor External (x4), Internal (x2)
Touch Sensor Head Pressure Sensitive Rubber
Handle Sheet Switch
Hands Sheet Switch X2
Shoulders Tact Switch X2
Image Input 110,000 pixels 1/5 inch CCD color camera (x2)
Sound Input Microphone (x7)
Sound Output Speaker
Input/Output PC Card Slot (Type II) (x1)
Memory Stick Slot (x1)
Display Eye LED 4096 color (RGB 16 gradation combination)
Ear LED 1 color 16 gradation
Power LED 2 colors (3 colors in simultaneous lighting) Performance/Charging Condition Display
Walking Speed Approximately 6m/minute max (irregular surface)Pace: 10cm, Walking Cycle: 1.0 second/step
Approximately 20m/minute max (flat, smooth surface)Pace: 6.5cm, Walking Cycle: 0.20 second/step
Irregular Surface Walking Ability Irregularity degree: 10mm irregular surface on non-slip condition
Tilt degree: Up to approx. 10 degrees tilted surface on non-slip condition
Weight Approximately 6.5Kg with battery and memory
Dimensions (height x width x depth) Approximately 580 x 260 x 190mm
Prototype "SDR-4X" Key Characteristics
1) Real-time Integrated Adaptive Motion Control
Integrated Adaptive Control can be realized in real time for walking on irregular and/or tilted surfaces and retaining posture under external pressure (i.e. when pushed).
- Ability to walk on an irregular surface up to 10mm approximately in variation
- Ability to walk up and down on a tilted surface up to 10 degrees approximately
- To prevent falling over under external pressure, the SDR-4X automatically performs footfall and step back to maintain its standing posture.
- If it falls over, damage will be limited by the robot's flexible joint control and effective damage avoidance posture retention.
2) Real-time Gait Pattern Generation Control
This technology produces the necessary walking patterns by altering walking pace, cycle and rotating angle in accordance with the situation and environment, based on information from the robot's sensors. This achieves a stable and smooth gait for autonomous walking.
This technology produces the necessary walking patterns by altering walking pace, cycle and rotating angle in accordance with the situation and environment, based on information from the robot's sensors. This achieves a stable and smooth gait for autonomous walking.
3) Real-world Space Perception Technology
With 2 CCD cameras embedded in its head, the SDR-4X can detect the distance between itself and an object and perceive the range in-between and the figuration of an object. Based on this information, SDR-4X can automatically calculate a route to make its way around the object. 7 microphones equipped in the head make it possible for the SDR-4X to detect the direction of a sound source.
With 2 CCD cameras embedded in its head, the SDR-4X can detect the distance between itself and an object and perceive the range in-between and the figuration of an object. Based on this information, SDR-4X can automatically calculate a route to make its way around the object. 7 microphones equipped in the head make it possible for the SDR-4X to detect the direction of a sound source.
4) Multi-modal Human Interaction Technology
1. Individual person detection, recognition learning technology
- Ability to detect and recognize a face (front face) against a complex background
- Ability to memorize up to 10 individual faces through the learning functions
- Ability to recognize individuals by the tone of their voice.
1. Individual person detection, recognition learning technology
- Ability to detect and recognize a face (front face) against a complex background
- Ability to memorize up to 10 individual faces through the learning functions
- Ability to recognize individuals by the tone of their voice.
2. Continuous speech recognition and unknown vocabulary acquisition
- Ability to recognize continuous speech for many vocabularies by synchronizing data processing with an externally connected PC via wireless LAN
- Ability to learn and memorize new words not listed on its dictionary.
- Ability to recognize continuous speech for many vocabularies by synchronizing data processing with an externally connected PC via wireless LAN
- Ability to learn and memorize new words not listed on its dictionary.
3. Conversation, performance control technology based on its short-term and long-term memory
In addition to short-term memory functions to temporary memorize individuals and objects, SDR-4X is equipped with long-term memory functions to memorize faces and names through more in-depth communications with people. Emotional information based on a communication experience will be memorized on a long-term memory as well. By utilizing both short and long-term memories, the SDR-4X achieves more complicated conversations and performances.
In addition to short-term memory functions to temporary memorize individuals and objects, SDR-4X is equipped with long-term memory functions to memorize faces and names through more in-depth communications with people. Emotional information based on a communication experience will be memorized on a long-term memory as well. By utilizing both short and long-term memories, the SDR-4X achieves more complicated conversations and performances.
4. Speech synthesis and singing voice production
- High level of entertainment by emotionally expressive speech and voice production synchronized with full body performance
- Capability to produce singing voice with vibratos through voice synthesis by inputting music and lyric data.
- High level of entertainment by emotionally expressive speech and voice production synchronized with full body performance
- Capability to produce singing voice with vibratos through voice synthesis by inputting music and lyric data.
5) Safe design for interaction with people
Safe design including a joint structure that does not trap hands and fingers in between joints has been adopted for safe interaction with people
Safe design including a joint structure that does not trap hands and fingers in between joints has been adopted for safe interaction with people
6) Improved expression by adding more degrees of freedom
4 axes in the robot's head and 1 axis in the wrist have been added in order to improve the robot's expression. 5 individually movable fingers are also attached to each hand.
4 axes in the robot's head and 1 axis in the wrist have been added in order to improve the robot's expression. 5 individually movable fingers are also attached to each hand.
7) Improved performance of small actuators
Compared to the small actuators used in prototype "SDR-3X" announced in November 2000, a more advanced physical performance and response can be achieved by an approximately 30% improvement in the start-up torque, an approximately 15% improvement in rated torque, and an approximately 20% improvement in efficiency.
Compared to the small actuators used in prototype "SDR-3X" announced in November 2000, a more advanced physical performance and response can be achieved by an approximately 30% improvement in the start-up torque, an approximately 15% improvement in rated torque, and an approximately 20% improvement in efficiency.
8) SDR Motion Creator
SDR Motion Creator is a software system that enables the easy production and editing of a variety of movements such as dancing, using a PC. This software also includes automatic correction functions to prevent the robot's falling over while performing complex movements input by a creator or user. This enables the robot to easily produce complicated, personalized performances.
SDR Motion Creator is a software system that enables the easy production and editing of a variety of movements such as dancing, using a PC. This software also includes automatic correction functions to prevent the robot's falling over while performing complex movements input by a creator or user. This enables the robot to easily produce complicated, personalized performances.
