Robotics

Toyota's latest humanoid robot aces operator mimicry

Toyota's latest humanoid robot aces operator mimicry
Say hello to Toyota's latest humanoid robot, the T-HR3
Say hello to Toyota's latest humanoid robot, the T-HR3
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Operator movement is tracked by 16 sensors in the Master Maneuvering System module and instructions sent wirelessly over to the T-HR3 to mimic in real time
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Operator movement is tracked by 16 sensors in the Master Maneuvering System module and instructions sent wirelessly over to the T-HR3 to mimic in real time
The T-HR3 stands 60 inches tall, weighs 165 lb and features 29 body parts
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The T-HR3 stands 60 inches tall, weighs 165 lb and features 29 body parts
The operator seated in the Master Maneuvering System module has hand, arm and foot movements mapped and sent to the T-HR3 humanoid robot
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The operator seated in the Master Maneuvering System module has hand, arm and foot movements mapped and sent to the T-HR3 humanoid robot
Toyota says that the system caters for precision control of the T-HR3 robot in real time
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Toyota says that the system caters for precision control of the T-HR3 robot in real time
Force feedback from the T-HR3's 10-fingered hands ensures precise control of objects by the remote operator
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Force feedback from the T-HR3's 10-fingered hands ensures precise control of objects by the remote operator
Systems are in place for maintaining balance, meaning the T-HR3 can quickly recover from collisions with objects and even perform Tai Chi
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Systems are in place for maintaining balance, meaning the T-HR3 can quickly recover from collisions with objects and even perform Tai Chi
Say hello to Toyota's latest humanoid robot, the T-HR3
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Say hello to Toyota's latest humanoid robot, the T-HR3
View gallery - 7 images

Toyota has unveiled an assistive robot test bed that builds on previous work undertaken by its Partner Robot wing, which examined specific robot limb joints and pre-programmed movements – including robots that played musical instruments. A human operator strapped into a remote maneuvering system and wearing a VR headset controls movement in real time, with the T-HR3 busting moves like performing Tai Chi and building Lego-like structures with precision.

The T-HR3 has been built as a test platform for designing "friendly and helpful robots" that will work alongside humans, helping in the home, on building sites, working in disaster zones, in medical establishments and perhaps even making their way to outer space. Toyota has also introduces a management system that allows human operators to remotely control the third gen humanoid robot and have it mimic movements in real time.

The operator controls the show from something called a Master Maneuvering System, which brings to mind Davros from cult Brit TV show Dr Who. Somewhat bulky monitoring apparatus in the 850 x 1,500 x 1,450 mm (33.5 x 59 x 57 in), 170 kg (375 lb) module maps user hand, arm and foot movements using 16 sensors and sends movement instructions to the appropriate servo motors, reduction gears and torque sensors on the robot. A virtual reality headset (in this case an HTC Vive) allows the operator to see the world from the T-HR3's point of view.

Toyota says that the system caters for precision control of the T-HR3 robot in real time
Toyota says that the system caters for precision control of the T-HR3 robot in real time

When the user performs walking movements from within the Master Maneuvering System module, the robot will move forward or sideways accordingly. If the operator raises an arm, the robot mimics the movement precisely, and a "data glove" caters for grasping and gripping objects. Force feedback allows for just the right amount of pressure to be applied by the robot's 10-fingered hands to ensure safe operation and systems are in place for maintaining balance in the event of collision.

The robot itself is 1,540 mm (60 in) tall, tips the scales at 75 kg (165 lb) and has 29 body parts capable of moving across multiple axes that enable it to perform complex actions. It may not be quite as agile as the back-flipping Atlas, but it's no less impressive.

The T-HR3 is scheduled to make an appearance at the International Robot Exhibition in Tokyo from November 29. In the meantime, you can see it in action in the video below.

Source: Toyota

View gallery - 7 images
2 comments
2 comments
Daishi
Fun fact, Honda began developing humanoid robots in the 1980's and ASIMO will be 18 next year. We're probably 40 years and over a trillion in R&D into humanoid robots in total with nothing to date to show for it but toys. People 2 generations from now will still be working on humanoid robots with the goal of creating them to coexist with people. They are Rube Goldberg experiments at mobility with thousands of expensive moving parts and tons of complexity and cost. This is like homeopathy to medicine, it's not a field worthy of engineers. If you want companionship get a dog.
WufSA
@daishi, great point about timeline. But is it simply because the processing tech held us back? Or maybe also because market forces weren't aligned to drive demand beyond standard factory robots? Most governments also won't want to be seen to be driving human replacement, except maybe Japan.