Monday, November 14, 2011
Mask-bot: A robot with a human face
physorg.com: Mask-bot can already reproduce simple dialog. When Dr. Takaaki Kuratate says "rainbow", for example, Mask-bot flutters its eyelids and responds with an astoundingly elaborate sentence on the subject: "When the sunlight strikes raindrops in the air, they act like a prism and form a rainbow". And when it talks, Mask-bot also moves its head a little and raises its eyebrows to create a knowledgeable impression.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
8 comments:
Very cool idea. I like the fact that this is a projection onto a 3 dimensional surface, giving it a whole new level of realism. I also really appreciate the fact that this breaks from the precedent of other 3 dimensional robot heads- that being of a more cartoon-like style. This is the direction that robots is moving in- further and further into a world of realism that will be so convincing that it will be hard to tell who is robot and who is human, espcially if this Mask Bot is capable of changing its face on-demand. I would suppose the next step would be to make that transparent 3d surface (face) more malleable, so that a change of projection will also come with a change in the surface character (i.e. do the cheek bones become more pronounced, does the distance between the eyes change, does the nose grow or shrink in size?)
Well that is terrifying. This is some amazing innovation. The aesthetic is really impressive. I'm just wondering what they are going to do about the noise of automation. In the clip it's difficult to discern the words of the robot on account of the noise it makes when changing positions. I also wonder how versatile this mask is for other faces and projections. I'm interested to see how they will improve upon this model and what will be done with it. It seems like it has a lot of really cool possibilities.
I am glad that for once the cool human replicating technology falls more in the cool and not creepy camp of end result. The fact that this is done with rear project is the part I find most intriguing since I would love to see if this kind of technology could be used to make a literal mask that a person could wear and then somehow have a new face super imposed on it. Imagine being able to do a show where the actor can literally age in every way on stage or where Jekyll could become Hide with the trigger of a cue and a change in posture.
Two things about this article that interest me are the 3d technology and how realistic can we make robots? Obviously, the 3d projections have many potential applications in the theater (assuming we can afford the technology). It will be exciting to see how long it takes to develop projection technology that does not require a projection surface. As we continue to make robots and computers interact with people in a more realistic manner, is it possible that we can make them too perfect? Will these robots exhibit human qualities so truthfully that they feel fake.
The idea of actually projecting a face onto a plastic mask takes the robotic field into the three dimensional aspect. You have always seen faces on a screen or oddly shaped human head reproductions. Adding this 3D arability to a human robot makes the interaction much more receivable. When we had Data, a robot, come to My Favorite Class we discussed how there is still a certain aspect of pre-programming and repetition. To me the next step in robotics is really forming the human characteristics of a living robot. We always make the human interaction better and include pre programmed responses to certain stimuli, but what are really trying to do is create a living life form in a robot. Once that comes out I will be truly amazed. For not I need something else to be completely amazed with all the technology we have in todays world.
Making robots more and more human-like creeps me out a little, especially if they're being made to replicate actual specific people. There are definitely disadvantages to using the technology that allows conferencing with people who are not in the room, but I think those problems are more about reliability of technology or video/audio clarity, not the lack of three dimensions.
This is a pretty cool advancement. I've seen articles about a few different kind of projection/robot inventions, but this is the first one that can use a custom mask and create a realistic replica of someone. I can see this being used in theatre, but more so in other entertainment industries such as parts of universal studios and other themed attractions. This could definitely enhance those types of projects by having a real life talking, moving replica of characters.
This is very exciting. The face and mannerisms of the robot are very life like and I think that this is due to the use of projection technology. The projector allows the face of the robot to move more freely and realistically. Although it looks very realistic the sound is still, for lack of a better word, robotic. But it is also a bit scary seeing what technology can do.
Post a Comment