The robots develop a sense of direction
The Flame robot was already able to move through a process similar to that of a human being. A team of University of the Basque country now wants to give the droids ability to move independently and adapt to their environment. His robot Tartalo, has a navigation system allowing it to move freely in confined spaces such as apartments, even if it has not been scheduled for housing in particular. This is indeed able to adapt to changes in space. A camera positioned at eye level allows him to perceive its environment. The computer is equipped has been programmed to recognize four different areas: bedroom, corridor, lobby and no door. When placed in a new environment, he made several Featured order to identify and memorize the location of each piece.
Identify and control his environment
This, by creating a topological map and transmit it to its owner – for display and voice recognition solution – appoint the pieces. When approaching a place, it is also able to calculate the width and length of it to identify it: a long narrow space is perceived as a corridor, another broader as the lounge. It is the same for the doors if it can not open one, it will take the initiative to knock several times against the panel to show its presence. Tartalo, which measures about 1.5 meters, is finally able to overcome the obstacles he encounters on his journey. Indeed, it is equipped with sensors that emit and detect ultrasounds, infrared lights and laser beams capable of estimating distance. His movements are still random: the robot wanders through the corridors of the university without any real purpose or destination.
Objectives of assistance to the person and for military
But what is interesting is not so much what he can do yet, but the possibility of carrying forward the tasks spontaneously and independently. Their goal is to render their droid can achieve by itself a number of applications becoming more important. And you can move on any surface in any location, from the moment he received the order. It could then be used in very different areas, assistance to seniors and disabled military applications. Several improvements, however, must still be made before any marketing or approximation of the robot with other projects. Indeed, if he knows differentiate a human from another inanimate, it is not yet able to identify faces, voices, or a particular object it should return to its owner.