ARN

Taiwan University students build tour guide robot

Robot can create 2D and 3D maps of its surroundings to help it maneuver

A group of engineering students and their professor at National Taiwan University, Taiwan's most prestigious university, have built a robot that can map out the area it's operating in and offer guided tours.

The robot, named "Hsiao Mei" by the group, uses laser mapping and GPS technology to navigate on its own, including around corners and obstacles such as tables and chairs.

"The mapping function is definitely its most exceptional capability," said Huang Han-pang, a professor at Taiwan University's mechanical engineering robotics lab.

The robot sends out laser light which bounces back to show the exact depth and dimensions of a room and where objects sit, similar to the way radar works, he said. It can create complete 2D and 3D maps of an area.

In the first public demonstration on Thursday, an engineering student with a wireless remote control first took the robot through a floor of a small museum on the university's campus so it could create a map for itself. After the initial run-through, the robot was able to make an unaided journey around the floor.

The robot also uses CCDs (charge-coupled device), which are electronic light sensors used in digital cameras, in its eyes to determine where people are so it can raise or lower its head in response to the height of a person and speak more directly to them.

The students also put mechanics inside the robots head to create facial expressions ranging from happy and surprised to sad and angry.

The robot is around three feet tall and moves around on wheels. An LCD touchscreen on its back shows the maps the robot has made and can display other data as well.

The robot was finished last year at a cost of NT$300,000 (US$9,100), Huang said. It can run for one or two hours before its lithium-ion batteries need recharging. Huang said they will continue to develop the robot and its guided mapping technology.

Nominations for the 2012 ARN IT Industry Awards open on Tuesday, June 12.

References show all

Comments

Post new comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
Users posting comments agree to the ARN comments policy.
Login or register to link comments to your user profile, or you may also post a comment without being logged in.
Related Coverage
Related Whitepapers
Latest Stories
Community Comments
Tags: robots, taiwan, innovation
rhs_login_lockGet exclusive access to ARN's news, research and invitation only events.
ARN Distributor Directory
Find distributors by name | vendor | location
Channel Deals
/deals/transition-systems-australia/2011-06-20_391_wireless-vc-mobility
Transition Systems Australia

Wireless VC mobility

More details »
ARN Vendor Directory
Find vendors by name | category

iAsset is a channel management ecosystem that automates all major aspects of the entire sales,marketing and service process, including data tracking, integrated learning, knowledge management and product lifecycle management.