IREX 2009 continued
Fraunhofer IPA demonstrated their home assistance robot Care-O-bot 3, which took drink orders through its touch panel before going over to the table and using its one arm and end effector to grasp a bottled beverage and return with it. The robot has a flexible, bending body which gives it a somewhat strange appearance. Perhaps Willow Garage‘s PR2 has some competition?
Eager Co. Ltd. showcased its cardboard mannequin robot “D+ropop”, which they called the world’s first environmentally-friendly robot. It stands 179cm (5’10″) tall, but weighs only 6kg (13 lbs) thanks to its use of light weight materials. Unlike Flower Robotics’ mannequin robot Palette, D+ ropop’s light weight means it can be actuated with inexpensive hobby servos, further reducing costs. Businesses will be able to rent the robot for 1 week at a rate of 159,000 JPY ($1,830 USD) which is about half the price of renting Palette for 4 days. Though I think for high fashion stores having a robot made out of cardboard might not look quite as classy.
[source: Impress Robot Watch (JP), (2)]
