PaPeRo

The PaPeRo is a personal robot being developed by Japanese firm, NEC Corporation. It is noted for its cute appearance and its facial recognition system. The robot's development began in 1997 with the first prototype, the R100, and adopted the name PaPeRo, which stands for "Partner-type-Personal-Robot" in 2001.

PaPeRo has been researched and developed with the intention of its being a partner with human beings and its being able to live together with them. For this reason, it has various basic functions for the purpose of interacting with people.

Since the original introduction of PaPeRo, there have been a few different versions, including a Childcare Version, 2003 and 2005 revised versions, and "PaPe-Jiro", a robotic comedian. In 2006, a virtual PaPeRo was released for use in the PocketPC and any PC running the Windows operating system. Both computer systems can be used to program or monitor the use of the PaPeRo operating system.

In order for PaPeRo to interact with people and perform autonomous actions, the robot itself must understand information on the conditions of and outside the location where it has been put. For this reason, various pieces of equipment have been included to detect the outside area, such as a CCD camera, microphone, ultrasonic sensors, etc.

Specifications

Height: 385mm
Width: 248 mm
Depth: 245 mm
Weight: 5.0 kg

Continuous operation time: Approximately 2 to 3 hours
Battery charging time: Approximately 2 to 3 hours
Number of recognizable words: Approximately 3000 (in speaking mode)
Number of speaking words: Approx. 3000

Personalities

PaPeRo is a little helper during the day and can play games with people. In addition, when consulted with questions like "Is today a good day for a date?", or "Is today a good day for a drive?", PaPeRo will connect to the internet, obtain a weather report or information about a person's fortune and then say if today is a "recommended day." Furthermore, if PaPeRo is in a good mood, it will dance to please people.

Basically, PaPeRo has a cheerful character that enjoys speaking with people, but will change depending on the way it interacts with people. Changes in character are expressed by the way it speaks, its vocal quality, its music, and the way it moves. Here are PaPeRo's representative characters.

Leader PaPeRo
This is the character that was developed first. It's easy going and does what it likes. It likes talking with people and is good at imitation and dancing. It dances in accordance to its mood, adapting to the march, which is the theme music for Leader PaPeRo. A cute voice and manner of speaking are special features.

Knowledgeable PaPeRo
Knowledgeable PaPeRo will inform people of various information on the Internet. It won't say what it likes or dislikes, but people can interpret its feelings from its slight gestures. If people speak to it in any way they wish, it will sulk or become naughty. PaPeRo talks in a polite manner using speech synthesis.

Dancing PaPeRo
Dancing PaPeRo is a little bit headstrong, but really likes to dance and is happy if people praise it. It has different theme music than Leader PaPeRo and has a specialty dance that it matches to the music. Using speech syntheses it talks in a friendly tone of voice.

Lazy PaPeRo
If people don't interact with PaPeRo, it will become lazy. If people answer its questions and set it up properly, it will become serious.

Computer PaPeRo
Computer PaPeRo will do what people say, but will not speak to people. If treated affectionately, such as praising it or rubbing it, PaPeRo will move around and talk to people. Like robots in the old days, it will speak in a monotonous voice.

Technology

PaPeRo uses different technologies to interact with its environment. For example, Its "eyes" are really twin cameras with a face recognition system. When PaPeRo has nothing to do, it roams around looking for faces. Upon finding one, it will try to start a conversation. PaPeRo also has a speech recognition system. With a pair of powerful microphones, it can determine exactly where a sound comes from and if the sound is human speech. The robot will then interpret the information and respond accordingly. While PaPeRo roams around, it uses an ultrasound system located in its chest to detect objects. If an object lies in its path, PaPeRo's ultrasound system will detect where exactly the object is, and then PaPeRo will decide what to do to avoid the object. PaPeRo also has sensors located in its head. These sensors can detect if the robot is patted, slapped, etc., with PaPeRo responding accordingly.

External links

* [http://www.incx.nec.co.jp/robot/english/robotcenter_e.html NEC Personal Robot Center]
* [http://www.incx.nec.co.jp/robot/R100/english/version-e/ver01.htm NEC PaPeRo FAQ]
* [http://www.zonerobotique.com/index.php?contenu=lectdossier&id=111126 Zone Robotique: Dossier sur Papero] fr icon