Kinect Powered Robotic Seeing-Eye Dog

 

NSK Ltd. (Shinagawa, Tokyo / office, President & CEO, Director Norio Otsuka, NSK below), and the outside world aware of the newly developed technology, the guidance functions carried out by autonomous detection of the position and shape recognition of the stairs We developed a quadruped robot that can lift the wheel while leading the stairs.

　This robot was developed by NSK is provided with a driving wheel feet, legs and feet of four wheeled robots had the ability to move a step higher in the plains and the outside world information obtained by the image sensor and distance sensor , by doing your own processing, while recognizing the stairs and elevator autonomously and lead people. This technology, wheelchair, etc. can be applied to guide dog or service dog substitute, is intended to lead to autonomous mobile robot technologies to assist the human visual capabilities.

　NSK is September 11 (Wednesday) from 12 November to Saturday, at Tokyo Big Sight (Koto Ward, Tokyo) will be held at the "International Robot Exhibition 2011" in the newly developed product exhibited at the conference a demonstration to explore the needs of the wider market. Will, for practical, safety features such as per, will conduct spot inspections in the market.

New algorithm for recognizing the outside world

Position and orientation information is converted to 3-dimensional shape in the information obtained from the range image sensor recognizes a number of stages such as the width of the stairs and an ※ . This makes it difficult in the conventional stair, enables the recognition of stairs, regardless of the stairs down stairs, walking on stairs can now be more secure and stable.

※ 1 is a basic part of this algorithm is the result of collaboration with Associate Professor of Electro-Communications Kanamori.

Features easy-led

Interfaces for leading people and has adopted the movable grip angle and length, the operation became possible to stabilize the position of guidance in the use of stairs down. Moreover, it can move at nearly the speed of human walking speed closer to commercialization.

Ensure safety when climbing stairs

Be sure to stop when you land on the feet when climbing stairs, and touch sensors to suppress the step portion ※ 2 It has a walk in a more robust and secure human guidance.

※ 2 This sensor is the result of collaboration with professors Shimojo UEC.

　The NSK, NSK bearings and linear guide ™ so far has been involved in robotics, such as through the supply of ball screw. In 2007, The integration of advanced sensor technology and mechatronics technologies ever developed mechanical components, has developed a guide dog robot autonomously recognize and negotiate stairs. In developing this product, driving technology features to increase the performance moves outside world and more aware, were added to the guidance function.

　NSK is through the development of human-assisted robot will continue aiming to catch potential problems early in this field of tribology with NSK, materials, analysis and core technologies that take advantage of four mechatronics technology of assisted human We contribute to the development.

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