WD-2: The Human Face Of Robots
Writing by Conner Flynn on Tuesday, 18 of September , 2007 at 11:00 pm
Here is the latest version of the face robot developed by researchers from the Waseda University in Tokyo, led by mechanical engineer Atsuo Takanishi. They have been working on the WD series since 2003 and hope to apply the technology to personal robots in the future.
WD-2 not only uses facial expressions, but can change them in such a spectrum of minute details that it can appear nearly human. This is accomplished by manipulating 17 specific facial areas on a mask. Each of these points has three degrees of freedom, giving it a total of 56 degrees of freedom. A shaft moves behind the mask at the desired facial area, which is driven by a DC motor with a pulley and a slide screw. The mask is a very elastic and rigid material called Septom, with bits of steel wool added in to give it strength.
The video is pretty impressive. It has to be seen to truly appreciate the wide range of expression that WD-2 is capable of. Though not 100% perfect by any means, it is so good that it is downright eerie. Looks like Sci-Fi Shape-shifting(Or is that Face shifting?) robots are in our future.
Video and Links after the jump.
[Robot World News] VIA [Inventorspot]
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Category: Research
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