DPRG mailing list archives: [DPRG] A request for assistance

Tue Sep 5 11:32:12 CDT 2006

 All,
  David Hanson presented at one of our monthly meetings a year or so
ago.  His topic was robots capable of life like expressions on robotic
"faces".  He has continued working in this field and made some
interesting advancements.  Check out the URL in the attached email.

  David also needs some assistance for a conference scheduled at the end
of September.  Read his email and see what you can do.

Regards,
John Drummond

-----Original Message-----
From: david hanson [mailto:dayofid at hotmail.com] 
Sent: Thursday, August 31, 2006 5:49 PM
To: Drummond, John
Subject: self-stabilizing robot body

Hi John,

As I discussed with you on the phone, we hope to demonstrate a totally
mobile Einstein at the WIRED Nexfest, Sept. 26 though Oct.1.

Hanson Robotics has built the conversational Einstein head, with 36 dof
capable of a full range of facial expressions, using only 10 watts at 6
volts. The head and neck weigh less than 5 lbs. We are also building
gestural arms, with 16 DOF, which will weigh less than 10 lbs. The
self-stabilizing body will need to carry these devices, and a 5 lb.
laptop computer.

Hanson Robotics has developed conversational artificial intelligence
that is extremely engaging, using highly accurate (99%+) speech
recognition, face detection for eye contact, and face recognition. This
will allow the robot to conversationally engage the

Our robots are currently ready for sale, and we hope to sell several
units at the Nextfest for a price of $130k, including the mobile bodies.

Much of the time at Nextfest, the mobile robot can sit on top of a
charging station, while continuing to have conversations. Also, we can
switch out batteries regularly (every 30 minutes or so during continuous
operations), keeping a stash of freshly charged batteries.

The Hubo Einstein (see www.hansonrobotics.com/movies/einstein3.wmv) (for
which Hanson built the head) will also be on display at Nextfest.
However, that robot is not conversationally interactive, and will only
run three times per day, 20 minutes each time. That robot will be
presented by the KAIST Hubo lab from Korea, and will not emphasize our
role in the building of the robot.

Our robot will help to emphasize American robotics prowess, and will
look better, and will present an alternative, more practical body
modality for humanlike robots. It is likely that we will present the
robot on national television and even the David Letterman Show. We will
also present the robot at the Smithsonian museum in December.

If you will forward this message on to professor Anderson at SMU and
others, that will be much appreciated.

Thanks!
David

<DIV>
<H5>David Hanson, Hanson Robotics inc,&nbsp;214-927-1300; <A
href="http://www.hansonrobotics.com/">www.HansonRobotics.com</A> </H5>
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