Virtual Robot - Animating a Seated RoboThespian

Virtual Robot > Animating a Seated RoboThespian

The Virtual Robot Interface

Introduction

RoboThespian can be supplied in a seated position as an option.

In this case, there are a couple of variations to animating the robot to take note of to prevent the robot hitting his own legs and damaging hands/arms.

Safe start pose for seated RoboThespians

Virtual RoboThespian is setup for standing robots.

When starting a new animation the default RoboThespian pose will cause the hands to hit the legs.

From the pose library (1) add the relaxed sitting position (2) to 0 seconds (3) of each new animation. In this way the animation will start from a position that does not hit the legs.

In the future a button will be added at (4) to reset the robot to seated pose:

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  RoboThespian relaxed sitting position button

Start pose technical details (for info only)

Symmetrical and rest of outputs as per usual default starting pose (back straight upright, head level etc.)

• Forearm: 900 - forearms rotated so hands palm down
• Elbow: 1550 - raises forearms out of harms way
• Wrist: 1700 - relaxed a little so not unnaturally rigid
• Twist: 1900 - arms twisted out a little to match spread of legs:

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  RoboThespian seated - rest pose
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  RoboThespian seated - rest pose

Animation guidance

Don't go below Elbow 1600 when hands in karate chop position (i.e. Forearm 1800):

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  RoboThespian seated limits forearm at 180degrees
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  RoboThespian seated limits forearm at 180degrees

Don't go below Elbow 1650 if wrists bent down:

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  RoboThespian seated limits, wrists bent down

Above assumes back straight during movements. If leaning forwards at maximum (Torso Bend Forward 1950) don't go below Elbow 1800:

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  RoboThespian seated limits, torso bent forward