reeves84
February 17th, 2003, 9:35:41 AM
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/sci_tech/2003/denver_2003/2769741.stm
It is the creation of David Hanson, a former Disney employee now working at the University of Texas-Dallas.
The android head has cameras behind its eyes that will follow your movements; sophisticated software drives tiny motors under the polymer skin to mimic your facial expressions.
K-bot will smile, sneer, frown and even squint. Its 24 mechanical muscles react in under one second to produce the copycat visage...........
"This is the face for social robotics," said Mr Hanson, who is building the machine as part of his PhD studies. "The human face is the most natural paradigm for human-computer interactions. This is how we will interact with the computers of tomorrow."
Remarkably, the main components in this advanced machine have been built from parts that cost less than $400, and Hanson believes this cost can be dramatically reduced.
It is the creation of David Hanson, a former Disney employee now working at the University of Texas-Dallas.
The android head has cameras behind its eyes that will follow your movements; sophisticated software drives tiny motors under the polymer skin to mimic your facial expressions.
K-bot will smile, sneer, frown and even squint. Its 24 mechanical muscles react in under one second to produce the copycat visage...........
"This is the face for social robotics," said Mr Hanson, who is building the machine as part of his PhD studies. "The human face is the most natural paradigm for human-computer interactions. This is how we will interact with the computers of tomorrow."
Remarkably, the main components in this advanced machine have been built from parts that cost less than $400, and Hanson believes this cost can be dramatically reduced.