Tomotaka Takahashi

nihongo|Tomotaka Takahashi|高橋智隆|Takahashi Tomotaka|extra=born March 27 1975, roboticist and founder of Kyoto University's ROBO-GARAGE since 1999, creates humanoid robots known for their smooth, fluid motions and sleek appearance. Creating a number of humanoid robots entirely by himself, from concept through to production, Takahashi's designs have been featured in art exhibitions celebrating the creation of Astroboy [Cite web | url=http://www.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Frobot.watch.impress.co.jp%2Fcda%2Fparts%2Fimage_for_link%2F3943-168-2-3.html&hl=en&ie=UTF8&sl=ja&tl=en | title=NEON inspired by Astro Boy | date=2006-09-11 | accessdate=2008-06-12 | publisher=Impress Watch] , Time Magazine's Coolest Inventions of 2004 [Cite web | url=http://www.time.com/time/subscriber/2004/inventions/robot2.html | title=Time Magazine's Coolest Inventions of 2004 | date=2004 | accessdate=2008-06-08 | publisher=TIME] , and promotions for Bandai [Cite web | url=http://www.teamdroid.com/archives/2006/08/25/ghost-in-the-shell-tachikoma-robot/ | title=Ghost in the Shell Tachikoma robot | date=2006-08-25 | accessdate=2008-06-12 | publisher=TeamDroid] , Panasonic, and Pepsi [Cite web | url=http://www.robots-dreams.com/2006/03/robot_reborn_by.html | title=Robot Reborn By Drinking Pepsi | date=2006-03-28 | accessdate=2008-06-12 | publisher=Robots Dreams] . He has also worked with toy companies to produce relatively inexpensive robots for the hobby market, including those for Kyosho (a Japanese toy manufacturer better known for their r/c cars).

In early 2008, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. unveiled Takahashi's 4.5-ounce, 6.7-inch robot mascot for Panasonic's Evolta line of alkaline batteries (the longest lasting of its type according to the Guinness Book of World Records [Cite web | url=http://gizmodo.com/345720/panasonics-evoltas-earn-guinness-record-for-battery-life/ | title=Panasonic's Evoltas Earn Guinness Record For Battery Life | date=2008-01-16 | accessdate=2008-06-07 | publisher=Gizmodo] ), which climbed a 1,500-ft. Grand Canyon cliff as a publicity stunt/demonstration on May 24, 2008. [Cite web | url=http://www.reuters.com/news/video?videoId=83754 | title=Reuters video report | date=2008-06-02 | accessdate=2008-06-07 | publisher=Reuters] The robot was powered by a pair of Evolta batteries, and used a tiny rope to ascend the cliff face, which took approximately 6 hours and 45 minutes.

Takahashi's largest robot to date is the Enryu T-52, which he designed for Tmsuk Co. Ltd.. The Enryu (lit. "Support Dragon") is a 3.5m tall, 2.5m wide, 5t [Cite web | url=http://www.enryu.jp/t52/data2.html | title=Enryu T-52 specs | date=2006-02-06 | accessdate=2008-06-09 | publisher=Tmsuk Co. Ltd.] rescue robot that fully houses a human operator, but can also be controlled remotely if necessary via cameras located in the robot's head (including night vision), and on its front, back, and flanks. Its two, 10m long hydraulic arms have 6 degrees of freedom and are capable of lifting a car [Cite web | url=http://www.enryu.jp/t52/news20041209.html | title=Enryu T-52 testing phase | date=2004-12-10 | accessdate=2008-06-09 | publisher=Tmsuk Co. Ltd.] or other debris in the event of an earthquake, fire, or other disaster. The arms also come equipped with individual CCD cameras, useful when small, precise movements are necessary. It moves on caterpillar-style treads at approximately 3km/h. As of 2006 the Enryu was still in the testing phase [Cite web | url=http://www.enryu.jp/t52/news20060206.html | title=Enryu T-52 snow tests | date=2006-02-06 | accessdate=2008-06-09 | publisher=Tmsuk Co. Ltd.] , and in July 2007 Tmsuk Co. Ltd. unveiled the completely redesigned Enryu T-53 [Cite web | url=http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/claws-of-life/gigantic+clawed-dragon-bot-terrifies-and-helps-at-the-same-time-279718.php | title=Gigantic-Clawed Dragon Bot Terrifies and Helps at the Same Time | date=2007-07-18 | accessdate=2008-06-09 | publisher=Gizmodo] (it is unclear what [if any] role Takahashi had in this redesign).

He leads "Team Osaka", a collaboration of: Osaka City, VSTONE Co. Ltd., Osaka University, Systec Akazawa, ROBO-GARAGE, and ATR Intelligent Robotics and Communications Laboratories, established in 2003 to develop robot technologies in Osaka Japan [Cite web | url=http://www.communistrobot.com/robots/25 | title=VisiOn | accessdate=2008-06-08 | publisher=Communist Robot] . Team Osaka competes in various robot competitions and events around the world, such as Robocup (robot soccer). Team Osaka has won the Louis Vuitton Humanoid Cup in 2004, 2005 and 2006 [Cite web | url=http://www.core77.com/blog/events/robocup_2007_lord_of_the_humanoids_6794.asp | title=RoboCup 2007: Lord of the Humanoids | date=2007-07-08 | accessdate=2008-06-07 | publisher=Core77] . They lost to the German team NIMBRO 5-7 in 2007 [Cite web | url=http://www.core77.com/blog/events/robocup_2007_only_humanoid_after_all_6795.asp | title=RoboCup 2007: Only Humanoid After All | date=2007-07-08 | accessdate=2008-06-07 | publisher=Core77] .

Philosophy

Inspired by his childhood obsession with Astroboy and other fictional characters, Takahashi decided to study robotics after completing a sociology degree. Takahashi prefers to work on smaller robots, as they are easier to handle and people have more realistic expectations of them. Unlike machines, which are cold and uninviting, humans can relate to robots because they have bodies like humans or animals, which opens up new possibilities for communication, which Takahashi believes is their greatest strength [Cite web | url=http://waziwazi.com/node/48 | title=Interview with Team Osaka | date=2007-07-07 | accessdate=2008-06-07 | publisher=waziwazi.com] .

His goal is to create robots with exaggerated movements, and to do that he prefers small, tough servos with metal gears, using the best hardware he can afford. The form, or outer shell, can be made in two ways: traditionally-sculpted molds which are vacuum sealed, or through the use of CAD software and a rapid prototyping machine (3D printer technology) [Cite web | url=http://waziwazi.com/node/48 | title=Interview with Team Osaka | date=2007-07-07 | accessdate=2008-06-07 | publisher=waziwazi.com] .

Commercially available robots

While most of Takahashi's work is not commercially available, such as his Tachikoma (not to be confused with the $200 USD toy) and FT (female type) humanoid robot ("specifications on these and others available via Kyoto University's Robo Garage website, see #External Links"), Takahashi has worked with toy manufacturer Kyosho to produce the MANOI series of humanoid robots. They come in a variety of styles, though they are based on the same mechanics as the Kondo KHR-1, known for its smooth and human-like movements. They retail for approximately $2000 USD (though they are currently not being sold outside of Japan), which is comparable to many other hobbyist kits.

MANOI PF01

The MANOI PF01 (so-called PerFormance Type) is a 1:5 scale bipedal r/c robot, standing roughly 2 feet tall or 40 cm, and weighing 1.6 kg (battery included), with 17 degrees of freedom (neck x1, arm x3, leg x5). Rather than emphasizing the mechanical aspects of a robot's design, the PF01's internal parts are almost completely encased inside its anime-inspired plastic body, appealing to a broader audience than conventional kits [Cite web | url=http://www.4engr.com/press/catalog/1288/index.html | title=article | date=2007-05-31 | accessdate=2008-06-07 | publisher=4engr] . The robot is sold as a do-it-yourself hobby kit, which includes more than 100 pieces and PC software for programming movements and gestures, and can store and play up to 50 audio recordings. Powered by 3 Lithium polymer batteries, the PF01 uses an accelerometer and other sensors in order to maintain its balance and avoid obstacles, and is capable of balancing on one foot and righting itself from a resting position. The robot can operate for 15-25 minutes on a full charge (time varies depending on the motions performed). It comes in a set color scheme of black and cream, but early models off the production line may be copper and gold, or silver and white.

References

External links

* [http://www.robo-garage.com/english/index.html Official website] (English) Kyoto University's Robo Garage, specs on all of Takahashi's robots, includes videos of the robots in action
* [http://www.vstone.co.jp/top/products/robot/v2/ Official website] (Japanese) for Team Osaka
* [http://www.enryu.jp/t52/index.html Official website] (Japanese) Tmsuk Co. Ltd.'s site for Enryu T-52
* [http://www.suntory.co.jp/news/2006/9371.html Official Press Release] (Japanese) for Pepsi NEX Boy promotion
* [http://evolta.jp Official website] (Japanese) for Panasonic's Evolta batteries and robot
* [http://www.vstone.co.jp/top/products/robot/v2/gyallary/images/movie/RoboCup2007-1.wmv RoboCup Movie] shows Takahasahi's VisiOn series in soccer action
* [http://www.reuters.com/news/video?videoId=83754 Reuters] video report on Evolta's Grand Canyon climb
* [http://www.roboporium.com/MANOI_PF01.html Roboporium] sales page with MANOI PF01's specs
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VStxg3lcEKQ Youtube] video showcasing Evolta's 1,500 ft. climb at the Grand Canyon
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5r6IItSW68 Youtube] video showing an early prototype of Kyosho's MANOI series
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d86rmw9uIWs Youtube] video showcasing some of MANOI PF01's movement capabilities
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbqWTCC5Sv0 Youtube] video showcasing two MANOI PF01s
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQYEKQUF0_c Youtube] video showcasing an unmodified Kondo KHR-1, the guts of the MANOI
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GR7W4Q3-hqY Youtube] video showcasing Takahashi's Tachikoma, the spider robot from Ghost in the Shell
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7asESFbzhA Youtube] video showcasing FT, the Female Type robot