SDR-4X
SONY’S ALL-SINGING, ALL-DANCING ROBOT
Following on from the huge success of their puppy-like AIBO robots, Sony has unveiled a new prototype that can sing (yes, sing) and climb stairs. The new “toy” is capable of maintaining an upright position while walking on two legs and can be programmed directly from the PC.
The SDR-4X is sensor-loaded and operates using 38 independently moving joints fed information from the unit’s real-time control system. One of the key features Sony boasts about is the robot’s ability to sense variations in the surface it’s walking on and adjust its walking pattern accordingly.The robot’s not only capable of achieving a stable and flexible walking pattern, but can also assess its course over varying terrain and navigate objects, such as stairs, in its path. You’ll also be able to program the biped to move around as you see fit, by hooking it up to a PC over a wireless link. Even if our mechanical friend takes a tumble, don’t worry, it possesses the mobility to stand up again.
Using image and voice recognition to respond to people’s faces and voices, it can also recognise up to ten different individuals through front facial image capture, even against complex backgrounds his is achieved by using seven microphones placed inside the robot’s head to locate a sound source and recognise individual speech and tone. As well as voice synthesis, the SDR-4Xalso expresses emotion through an advanced range of fluid movements in its body. Not just a walker and talker, it can sing and dance according to the different music and lyrics programmed into its software.
More functional uses for the robot have not been detailed by Sony, who is tight-lipped about a release date for a consumer model, only suggesting that one will be available before the end of the year. Rumour has it, however, that the SDR-4X will not come cheap: early estimates are it could cost as much as a luxury car.
