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Fujitsu Phone-Controlled
Robot for the Home
Fujitsu
Laboratories Ltd. today announced that it has developed
a new robot for the home, the MARON-1, which can be
remotely controlled by mobile phone to operate home
electronic appliances or monitor household security.
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Home
Robot
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Photo
Fujitzu
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The
ambulatory prototype robot is equipped with a wide
range of functions, including telephone, camera,
remote control, timer and surveillance equipment. With
these features, for example, it is envisioned that
MARON-1 could be used for monitoring homes or offices
at night or for checking up on persons requiring
special care and monitoring.
Fujitsu will
be presenting details on the new robot at the Japan
Robot Conference, opening October 12, 2002 at Osaka
University.
Background
Fujitsu's
previous developments in the robotics field include
HOAP-1, announced in September 2001. This robot, which
was a test platform for bipedal locomotion, is now
being distributed by Fujitsu Automation Limited. It is
expected that robots will increasingly be used in
personal applications and in the future will come to
help out around the house as part of people's everyday
lives. MARON-1 represents an initial step toward
realizing that vision.
About
MARON-1
Maron-1
consists of a drive mechanism, a camera that can
rotate left, right, up, and down, a programmable
remote to control home electronic appliances, and a
PHS communication card that, together with specially
designed i-appli (*1) software,
enables the robot to be operated remotely by mobile
phone.
With remote
operation by mobile phone, the robot can take pictures
and relay them to the phone's screen, so that the
owner can check conditions at home. The owner can give
precise commands for moving the robot forward,
backward or turning in a desired direction. In
addition, by storing the home's layout in the robot's
memory, the owner can give the robot a destination,
and it will automatically navigate to that point,
avoiding obstacles and maneuvering over door saddles
and other surface gradations along the way.
Alternatively, a pattern may be established for it to
patrol a designated course.
Images sent
by the Maron-1 can also be used for specifying a
destination. The robot's infrared remote control
capability can be used to operate appliances such as
air conditioners, televisions and VCRs.
By
positioning the robot one or two meters from a spot
the owner would like to monitor (for example, the
front hall or a window) and turned appropriately,
MARON-1 is able to detect anyone or anything entering
its field of view. If it does detect an intrusion, it
can sound an alarm and call a pre-set number.
The robot
can also be scripted to take specific actions at
specific times. For example, it can be used as an
alarm clock or timer, or it can be programmed to take
pictures around the house at pre-set times.
With its
built-in PHS capability, the robot can be used as a
hands-free telephone. Frequently dialed numbers can be
stored in its memory for one-touch dialing. Other
commonly performed actions may also be assigned to
function buttons.
MARON-1:
Main Specifications
| Dimensions: |
32
x 36 x 32 cm |
| Weight: |
5
kg |
| Operable
parts: |
2
powered wheels (left, right); 1 rotating
arm; 2-way movable camera head (pan, tilt).
5 degrees of freedom |
| Sensors: |
1
Infrared sensor/emitter (for operating
electronics by remote); 2 cameras, 1
proximity sensor |
| User
interface: |
1
touchpad; 5 menu keys; 2 function keys; 1
4" LCD monitor; 1 microphone; 1 speaker |
| Operating
system: |
WinCE
3.0 |
| Expansion
interfaces: |
1
USB (host); 1 PC card slot; 1 RS-232C port
(for maintenance); 1 DC-IN connector |
| Battery
type: |
NiMH
(in main unit) |
| Run
time per charge: |
12
hours (*2) |
| Accessory: |
AC
adapter |
Fujitsu is
actively pursuing research and development of new
robotic applications and related software, and the
company plans to translate these ideas into innovative
products.
Source
Fujitzu
Article Reference : 002087
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