Jules Robot Now Matches Your Smile

Androgenoid Jules is a humanoid robot that now has a new capability; it uses its own software to match the facial expressions of nearby human beings. Jules' smile is as real as software and Frubber can make it.


(Jules humanoid robot head goes for a smile)

Jules is the creation of David Hanson, who made the Philip K. Dick robotic head in 2005. At the NextFest 2005 exhibition, I asked David if his PKD robotic head could pass the Voight-Kampff test; he said "No" but to keep an eye on upcoming products.

Jules the robotic head is closer, though; even though it seems a bit creepy. The paradigm of robots and aliens gaining the trust of humans by imitating their facial expressions is as old as science fiction movies.

Take a look at this video showing the creation of Jules by the Hanson robotics team.


(Hanson Robotics Jules Robotic head video)

The system uses a camera to focus on the face of a human bystander, and then analyzes the results. The robot is able to respond with any of ten programmed emotions. The project was developed at Bristol Robotics Laboratory, a lab run by the University of the West of England and the University of Bristol under the leadership of Chris Melhuish, Neill Campbell and Peter Jaeckel.

The eventual intent is to create robotic companions or assistants in hospitals that are able to appear more empathetic toward people.

Tired of looking at unmoving, metallic robot faces?

From Sky News.

Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 11/13/2008)

Follow this kind of news @Technovelgy.

| Email | RSS | Blog It | Stumble | del.icio.us | Digg | Reddit |

Would you like to contribute a story tip? It's easy:
Get the URL of the story, and the related sf author, and add it here.

Comment/Join discussion ( 2 )

Related News Stories - (" Robotics ")

WIND Wearable Robot Controller
Robot wirelessly sense, robot do. Kind of like a full-torso waldo.

IMPASS Robot 'Smart Wheel' Video
They're making great progress with Neal Stephenson's 'smart wheels' - take a look at the video.

Predator, Prey Robots Evolve
Just how much help should human beings give to robots as they evolve toward greater functionality?

PALRO Companion Robot
Who's your favorite companion robot? Little PALRO might fit the bill.

 

Google
  Web TechNovelgy.com   

Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!) is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for the Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary, the Invention Timeline, or see what's New.

 

 

 

 

 

Current News

Put MercuryHouseOne Anywhere
Perhaps looking out through the spray of Victoria Falls.

Computational Wood: Grow Circuits In Living Trees
Just tap into the information tree.

SIRI Virtual Assistant Like Pohl's Joymaker
Man Forrester! Your joymaker is ready.

Liquid Glass Universal Spray-On Protectant
Also used to protect galactic way stations.

WIND Wearable Robot Controller
Robot wirelessly sense, robot do.

Gesture Cube Touch-Free Input
Just think of the gestures you'll use!

IMPASS Robot 'Smart Wheel' Video
I love it when good robot research comes together.

Predator, Prey Robots Evolve
Humanity must make a choice about robot evolution.

Mind-Control Lights At Vancouver Olympics
Bringing The Game to the Olympic Games.

PALRO Companion Robot
Who's your favorite companion robot?

Wasabi Smoke Alarm Now Available
It's an odalarm!

Spyder Olympic GS Suit With d3o
An impact suit made with a shear thickening material.

First Transistor That Mimics Brain Synapse
The Nexus Six phone will need a Nexus-6 brain.

Legged Squad Support System Monster BigDog Robot
A robotic pack mule for soldiers.

Implantable Energy-Harvesting Rubber Sheets
Take a deep breath, and power up that cell phone!

Bose Ride System Smooths Your Ride
Ride the spaceways - uh, roads - in comfort.

More SF in the News Stories

More Beyond Technovelgy science news stories

Home | Glossary | Invention Timeline | Category | New | Contact Us | FAQ | Advertise |
Technovelgy.com - where science meets fiction™

Copyright© Technovelgy LLC; all rights reserved.