It's called R1 and it's not a reproduction of one of the many robots featured in Star Wars, but the drone designed and built by the Italian Institute of Technology in Genoa, humanoid robotics section.
Presented at the Maker Faire in Rome, R1 is a robot programmed to provide help and assistance.
R1: the domestic assistant of tomorrow
The drone made by the engineers of the Genoese institute is not a robot to be used in space missions or to support rescuers engaged in disaster areas. Its use will exclusively concern the assistance of the elderly or people with disabilities. In fact, it will help in daily chores by providing support in many domestic activities. And it will do so with its 28 motors that ensure hundreds of different movements in full autonomy. It will also be equipped with an artificial membrane that will act as a skin, allowing the drone to experience the sensation of touch.
Five and five feet tall and weighing 50kg, R1 is one of the most advanced humanoids ever made. It will also be able to stretch by another 20 cm, as well as the arms by an additional 13 cm. These variations will allow him full assistance in (almost) all situations.
Artificial intelligence to support those in need
The aim of the Italian engineers was to create a drone capable of helping the weakest in everyday life. One of the first "bricks" was to allow him to identify things and people. R1 is in fact capable of recognizing objects and human beings simply by looking at them. It can also understand and interpret language and act independently according to the situation.
All this thanks to its "brain" containing state-of-the-art sensors, two color cameras and a 3D viewer. A real engineering jewel that makes R1 one of the most complex and advanced robots to date.
The hard work of the Italian Institute of Technology
R1 is not the only robot made by IIT. In 2009 the Genoese team presented iCub to the public. An android robot that imitates a seven-year-old child in both appearance and behavior. In fact, its peculiarity lies in the ability to learn. ICub is a robot capable of learning, growing and improving.
As in a science fiction movie, robotics is slowly reaching levels never seen before. Just as Asimov had predicted.
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