SociBot At a Glance
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Description
SociBot™ is an interactive, fully programmable humanoid robot exhibit suitable for public display, demonstration and academic research.
The robot features an actuated neck and a rear fitted optical projector within the head shell allowing a variety of animated face images to be displayed in 3D form.
SociBot™ is supplied configured with standard content along with customer specific content installed, so it works the way you want it straight out of the box.
All software is included for customers to create new performances, upload additional faces and program the robot behaviours.
An inbuilt infra red depth sensor and head camera enable further interactive possibilities, from expression mimicking to age, gender and expression recognition, all designed to engage and fascinate the audience, further enhancing the communication potential of the programmed content.
SociBot™ Kiosk is supplied with an integrated touchscreen kiosk and is configured with a multiple language software interface suitable for public use.
SociBot™ Desktop is a more compact robot with a truncated torso and no touchscreen. The on-board sensors and hardware are identical to the larger SociBot.
SociBot™ Desktop is perfect for desktop operation, for example in a lab or office environment.
Both versions have extensible software and provide USB and network connection, to allow use of your own hardware and interface devices.
Typical Standard Package for public venues will include:
Model | SociBot Desktop | SociBot Kiosk |
---|---|---|
Non-actuated arms for cosmetic purposes. | ||
Interactive touchscreen kiosk suitable for public use | ||
Rear-fitted internal projector head with LED pico projector and custom optics | ||
3 powered neck axis (roll, pitch, yaw) | ||
Virtual Robot – web browser application for customers to create their own content online | ||
Standard web browser based public user interface (multi-language) | ||
Standard range of content - film impressions, songs, etc. | ||
Visage FaceTrack software – robot can map your face and copy your expression. | ||
InYaFace – web browser based face animation application | ||
Robot Management Software Suite – web browser application. (comprising content management, sensor data and Python IDE screens) | ||
1 x English Acapela Text to Speech voice locally installed on robot for creating new content offline. (option to add further voices) | ||
Asus Xtion IR depth sensor for motion tracking and interaction | ||
Built in Head Camera | ||
Remote support and diagostics | ||
One year warranty on parts |
Public User Interface
SociBot Kiosk and SociBot Desktop are designed primarily to interact with people.
With this in mind, wherever possible, we have striven to make operating and working with the robot as intuitive and human-friendly as possible.
Kiosk Touchscreen Interface: Traditionally a public-facing touch-screen interface for designing sequences and interacting with the robot, this flash-based kiosk GUI is chikld-friendly and robust.
Drag-and-drop functionality lets you put together your own routines from pre-composed sequence elements. You can store and play routines, view camera outputs and create text-to-speech segments. This interface is most useful for robots intended to interact with an unpredictable public, eg. at a science museum, a reception or waiting room, or with young children.
An administrative area allows for greater control and content management, without requiring technical expertise. While this interface cannot make changes to the robot's control or hardware configurations, it is ideal for quickly uploading and playing content.
Suitable for: low-level users at public installations, fast administrative control and access
Subroutines, sequences and behavioural modules.
SociBot comes already loaded with a set of biomimetic background routines, a selection of pre-recorded sequences, and a host of subroutines to make interacting and using your SociBot simple and intuitive.
Robot Management Software
Browser-based Control Panel: An intuitive way to handle Socibot's content, appearance and programming.
Entirely browser-based and stored on your personal Socibot, there is no need for software downloads or installations. Access camera and sensor inputs, manage sequences, images and sound assets, generate facial expressions, and create or modify behavioural control functions.
An in-browser Python editor allows you to write your own code for SociBot, sequences can be created or edited on the fly without needing to leave the robot environment, and the Socibot appearance and expression generation system InYaFace offers unparalleled control over the robot's visage.
This HTML5/WebGL Robot Management system is both simple and powerful, suitable for any kind of robot installation and users at all levels of experience.
Suitable for: all users, anywhere
Face Animation software
A Projected Face allows SociBot to take on any persona at all.
A default human like face is parametrically driven in real time and can transition smoothly between facial expressions to show a whole range of moods.
The face image is not a pre recorded video, it is generated by blending together 3D models of faces in real time using a special graphical application called InYaFace developed by EA
Advanced Interaction included in standard package)
Look At People - in standby mode, the robot will automatically track passers by and attempt to make eye contact by moving its head to follow the person.
If you want the robot to behave in a certain way, you can use Control Functions to achieve this. For example automatically say something when a person is standing in view or waves a hand.
Python programmers can write their own control functions using the robot's web based control panel
Open API - Fully documented Application Programming interface for advanced developers.
Optional Extras
Telepresence operation: When requested, we can provide an Android tablet and applet which allows you to easily use the robot as a telepresence device. From the tablet you have full control over the robot's sound input/output, cameras, head actuators and facial display. It allows you to inhabit the robot; speak through it, listen, see what it sees. With the projective head, you can even quickly alter the facial expressions to reflect your mood.
Suitable for: remote operation, users at all levels
As per RoboThespian - transclude in both
Existing installations
SociBot™ is installed at a number of locations worldwide, including:
Public installations:
- Putnam Museum, Iowa, USA
- Parc Futuroscope, France
- Espace des Sciences, France
- Bal Robotov, Russia
Academic instutions, including:
- Bristol Robot Laboratory, UK
- University of Craiova, Romania
- Nanyang Polytechnic, Singapore
- Coventry University, UK
Minimum venue requirements for installation
- Suitable for indoor use only. Recommended room temperature: 10°C - 30°C, relative humidity: 45% - 60%
- Standard domestic mains power in the range 100v - 250v AC
- Wired network connection - required for remote support, fault resolution, and the application of updates and new software/content features.
Export Information
SociBot™
- Binding HS Tariff Code: 9023.00.0000
- Country of origin: United Kingdom.
Technical Specification
For dimensions, weight, mechanical and electrical features please refer to SociBot Technical Spec