Robot lost for words when asked a question
Source: Agencies |
July 4, 2013, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
HONDA Motor Co's walking, talking interactive robot is running into glitches in its new job as a museum guide in Tokyo.
The Asimo machine is having problems telling the difference between people raising their hands to ask questions and those aiming their smartphones to take photos at the Miraikan science museum.
It freezes mid-action and repeated a programmed remark, "Who wants to ask Asimo a question?"
Asimo is wirelessly connected to sensors in the ceiling to discern when a crowd gathers.
It has no voice recognition but responds to questions selected from a touch-panel device.
Honda's robotics technology has come under fire as being little more than an expensive toy. Asimo was too sensitive to go into radiated areas after the 2011 Fukushima disaster, and Honda had to develop robotic arms for use in reactors.
Satoshi Shigemi, who oversees Honda's robotics technology, said the goal is to have Asimo recognize who is talking to it, and respond accordingly.
It has a long way to go.
Previously, Asimo has shown it can run, hop on one foot and kick a ball. It can open a thermos and pour a drink and has image sensors to help make its way around objects.
The Asimo machine is having problems telling the difference between people raising their hands to ask questions and those aiming their smartphones to take photos at the Miraikan science museum.
It freezes mid-action and repeated a programmed remark, "Who wants to ask Asimo a question?"
Asimo is wirelessly connected to sensors in the ceiling to discern when a crowd gathers.
It has no voice recognition but responds to questions selected from a touch-panel device.
Honda's robotics technology has come under fire as being little more than an expensive toy. Asimo was too sensitive to go into radiated areas after the 2011 Fukushima disaster, and Honda had to develop robotic arms for use in reactors.
Satoshi Shigemi, who oversees Honda's robotics technology, said the goal is to have Asimo recognize who is talking to it, and respond accordingly.
It has a long way to go.
Previously, Asimo has shown it can run, hop on one foot and kick a ball. It can open a thermos and pour a drink and has image sensors to help make its way around objects.
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