EveR

EveR-1 (Korean: 에버원) is South Korea's first functional female android (gynoid), developed by a team of South Korean scientists from the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology in Korea University of Science and Technology. The project is headed by Baeg Moon-hong (백문홍), and unveiled to the public at Kyoyuk MunHwa HoeKwan in Seoul on May 4, 2006. Its name is derived from the combination of the Biblical "Eve" and the r from "Robot".

File:Ever-1.jpg

EveR-1, the world's second female android, able to express emotions, understand and speak simple Korean and English, as well as implmenting an advanced human alike artificial skin.

EveR-1 is the world's second female android, a direct competitor of Actroid, being developed by Kokoro Dreams [1] and Osaka University of Japan and unveiled at the International Robot Exhibition in Tokyo in 2003. EveR-1 was built in the period of a year at a cost of 300 million Won (US$321,000) in state funds.

The creators said the humanoid's face is a composite of two well-known Korean actresses, while the torso is based on a singer though the names of the celebrities were not revealed. The android weighs 50 kilograms and has a height of 160 centimeters.

The creators also said that EveR-1 can mimic the human emotions of happiness, sadness, anger, and surprise more naturally than its Japanese rival, which uses a hydraulic system for certain movements. The Ever-1 contains a total of 35 miniature motors located throughout its upper body which enables EveR-1 to move its head, arms, and upper body, and even move its lips in synchronization with the robot's speech. Its skin is made of synthetic, pliable silicone jelly that feels similar to human skin.

The android can recognize 400 Korean and English words, allowing it to respond to questions both verbally and through 15 facial expression: EveR-1 will show displeasure if you poke her (though of course this depends on how skilfully you do it). The android also has motion data process sensors in its artificial eyes, enabling it to follow people with its eyes and head.

EveR-2

EveR-2, successor of EveR-1 which performed at Robot World 2006 in Seoul, has improved vision and ability to express emotions. Boredom is now an available emotion, along with the usual joy, anger, sorrow and happiness. She sang the Korean ballad "I Will Close My Eyes For You" during the opening ceremony at the Robot World 2006 conference in Seoul. She is about five feet tall and weighs about 135 pounds. Her silicon-covered face has a higher flexibility; 29 motors and dozens of joints provide 13 degrees of freedom for self-expression.

KITECH is currently developing EveR-3 and EveR-4, schedueled for release in 2010. The upgraded female androids are expected to walk, sing, dance and have "substantially improved intelligence".

A male (android) version is also currently being developed.

Baek Moon-hong envisions educational and entertainment functions for the androids, from providing information in department stores and museums, to reading stories to children.

References

• "Korean Scientists Develop Female Android". Korea Times May 4 2006. Retrieved 2006-05-05.
• "Korea Unveils World's Second Android". Digital Chosunilbo May 4 2006.
• ""국내 첫 인조인간로봇 `에버원` 태어났다". Daum.net (Korean) May 4, 2006.
• "I'm Your Guide". Science June 9 2006.

See also

• Korea University of Science and Technology
• Actroid, the first female android, with notes on Repliee R1 and Repliee Q1.
• Meinü (a Chinese gynoid)
• Android
• Android science
• Blade Runner, a science fiction film about an android revolt on future Earth.
• List of Korea-related topics
• Robotics
• Uncanny valley
• i-Robot

External links

• Kokoro Dreams Actroids.