Robo-Shop
Mar 1, 2008 12:00 PM
Universal Citywalk Osaka shopping center in Japan recently conducted a test using a customized ATR Robovie humanoid robot programmed to aid lost shoppers. The robot monitored a 1,076-square-foot section of the property. It used data from 16 cameras, 6 laser range finders and 9 RFID tag readers installed in and around the area. The robot was able to watch up to 20 people at a time, pinpoint their locations to within a few centimeters, and classify each individual's behavior into one of 10 categories (waiting, wandering, walking fast, running, etc.). Whenever Robovie spotted people who looked disoriented, the droid wheeled up to them and asked, “Are you lost?” If they said yes, the robot gave simple directions and pointed the way.
