Playing Catch and Juggling with a Humanoid Robot

Robots in entertainment environments typically do not allow for physical interaction and contact with people. However, catching and throwing back objects is one form of physical engagement that still maintains a safe distance between the robot and participants. Using an animatronic humanoid robot, we developed a test bed for a throwing and catching game scenario. We use an external camera system (ASUS Xtion PRO LIVE) to locate balls and a Kalman filter to predict ball destination and timing. The robot's hand and joint-space are calibrated to the vision coordinate system using a least-squares technique, such that the hand can be positioned to the predicted location. Successful catches are thrown back two and a half meters forward to the participant, and missed catches are detected to trigger suitable animations that indicate failure. Human to robot partner juggling (three ball cascade pattern, one hand for each partner) is also achieved by speeding up the catching/throwing cycle. We tested the throwing/catching system on six participants (one child and five adults, including one elderly), and the juggling system on three skilled jugglers.

• Category

  Science & Technology

[Sergio Calvo]

Now put two of this robots face to face.

[SockPuppetCommentary]

The robot has a troll face

[marco1991pl]

Joker really let himself go.

[Soupballin]

NERDS



[trex dino]

freaky bot



[Brad Gassner]

I am a mechanical engineering student. This is my dream job. When I graduate, I'll be giving you a call.

[Josue Martinez]

This humanoid robot's face looks soo much like Abraham Lincoln's, it should be named something like: Abraham Bot, Lincolnoid, or something similar.

[Yotta Sama Sensei]

It's truly incredible !

[korikakumei]

i want real robots pleeease!! by 2020 i want a robot slave! lol

[mikego18753]

That's Jack Palance that is.