After success with beating humans at chess, scientists are now planning to build a new breed of human-like robots that could one day defeat us at a physical sport like soccer
Computer scientists from the University of Bonn have developed a new robot whose source code and design plan is publicly accessible. It is intended to facilitate the entry to research on humanoids, in particular, the TeenSize Class of the RoboCup. The scientists recently ontroduced the new robot at the International Conference on Intelligent Robot and Systems in Portugal.
With its white head and black body,"NimbRo-OP" looks almost human. After all, at a height of 95 centimeters, it is almost the size of a small child. Among soccer robots, it counts as a "grown-up." Thanks to light-weight materials, its weight of 6.6 kilograms is, however, clearly less than that of a child. It has a total of 20 drive elements that convert computer commands into mechanical motions. This is also why "NimbRo-OP" is very agile- it has no problems kicking a soccer ball, and it can also get up from a prone position,as soccer players fall down.
ALL OPEN SOURCE
"We have made very effort to keep the design simple to allow other working groups to also use this robot as a basis for their work, modify and repair it," says Sven Behnke, the lead for the project. Source code and design plan of "NimbRo-PO" are open source. This is intended to facilitate entry into research on humanoids.
The Bonn researchers used different humanoid robots as the inspiration for their project. "There are also other very interesting robots; but they clearly smaller than ours," says Behnke. "But its size is essential for being able to docertain things, such as in robo-soccer." In addition,"NimbRo-OP is not suitable for consumers," says Behnke. "Our target group consists of scientists who want to program robots based on this hard-and software." The scientists from the University of Bonn also want to enter their robot in the RoboCup.
DEFEATING HUMAN PLAYERS?
Chess computers have already proven that they can best human capabilities. "But humans are still clearly better at soccer than robots," the computer scientist from Bonn reports. The requirements for soccer robots are high; they have to perceive environmental conditions via cameras and inclination sensors, detect the goal posts, opponents and obstacles, and make and implement decisions involving their team members. "There is still much to do to solve all the problems out on the pitch," adds Behnke.
The scientists are using the RoboCup to experiment with complex challenges for bipedal robots that can potentially be used in many practically relevant environments beyond soccer. "For example, they are capable of using tools, climbing stairs, and passing bottlenecks that are too narrow for wheeled or tracked robots," explains Behnke. In addition, they can also use human facial expressions, gestures and body language for communicating.
He adds,"Our goal is to stop re-inventing the wheel over and over; by using an open platform together with other researchers, we want to find solutions while saying on expenses."
Computer scientists from the University of Bonn have developed a new robot whose source code and design plan is publicly accessible. It is intended to facilitate the entry to research on humanoids, in particular, the TeenSize Class of the RoboCup. The scientists recently ontroduced the new robot at the International Conference on Intelligent Robot and Systems in Portugal.
With its white head and black body,"NimbRo-OP" looks almost human. After all, at a height of 95 centimeters, it is almost the size of a small child. Among soccer robots, it counts as a "grown-up." Thanks to light-weight materials, its weight of 6.6 kilograms is, however, clearly less than that of a child. It has a total of 20 drive elements that convert computer commands into mechanical motions. This is also why "NimbRo-OP" is very agile- it has no problems kicking a soccer ball, and it can also get up from a prone position,as soccer players fall down.
ALL OPEN SOURCE
"We have made very effort to keep the design simple to allow other working groups to also use this robot as a basis for their work, modify and repair it," says Sven Behnke, the lead for the project. Source code and design plan of "NimbRo-PO" are open source. This is intended to facilitate entry into research on humanoids.
The Bonn researchers used different humanoid robots as the inspiration for their project. "There are also other very interesting robots; but they clearly smaller than ours," says Behnke. "But its size is essential for being able to docertain things, such as in robo-soccer." In addition,"NimbRo-OP is not suitable for consumers," says Behnke. "Our target group consists of scientists who want to program robots based on this hard-and software." The scientists from the University of Bonn also want to enter their robot in the RoboCup.
DEFEATING HUMAN PLAYERS?
Chess computers have already proven that they can best human capabilities. "But humans are still clearly better at soccer than robots," the computer scientist from Bonn reports. The requirements for soccer robots are high; they have to perceive environmental conditions via cameras and inclination sensors, detect the goal posts, opponents and obstacles, and make and implement decisions involving their team members. "There is still much to do to solve all the problems out on the pitch," adds Behnke.
The scientists are using the RoboCup to experiment with complex challenges for bipedal robots that can potentially be used in many practically relevant environments beyond soccer. "For example, they are capable of using tools, climbing stairs, and passing bottlenecks that are too narrow for wheeled or tracked robots," explains Behnke. In addition, they can also use human facial expressions, gestures and body language for communicating.
He adds,"Our goal is to stop re-inventing the wheel over and over; by using an open platform together with other researchers, we want to find solutions while saying on expenses."
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