Nao (robot)
NAO (pronounced "now") is an autonomous, programmable and medium-sized humanoid robot, developed by the French company Aldebaran Robotics, a start-up headquartered in Paris. Project NAO was launched in 2005.
On August 15, 2007, NAO replaced the robot dog Aibo by Sony as the robot used in the Robocup ("Robot Soccer World Cup") Standard Platform League (SPL), an international robotics competition.[1] The NAO was used in RoboCup 2008 and 2009, and the NaoV3R was chosen as the platform for the SPL at RoboCup 2010.[2]
NAO Academics Edition is available for universities and laboratories for research and education purposes, projected for public distribution by 2011. In October of 2010, the University of Tokyo purchased 30 NAO robots to participate in research with their Nakamura Lab, with hopes of developing them into assistants.[3]
In the Summer of 2010 NAO made global headlines with a synchronized dance routine at the Shanghai Expo.[4]
In December 2010 a NAO was demonstrated doing stand-up comedy[5] and the latest version was released which has sculpted arms and smoother motion[6]
Versions
Six prototypes of NAO were designed:
- from January 2005 to March 2006 : AL-01, AL-02 and al.-03
- from September 2005 to July 2006 : AL-04
- from June 2006 to June 2007 : AL-05.a
- from May 2007 to December 2007 : AL-05.b
On March 2008, a first finalized version (NAO Robocup Edition) was released to the Robocup's contestants [7].
In late 2008, the NAO Academics Edition was released to the academics and education market (universities and companies).
In late 2010, the NAO Developer Program[8] was launched to allow developers to get a NAO H25 Version 3.3 (with longer arms, a new head and a new capacitive sensor on each hand).
A general public version is to be launched 2012 [9].
Specifications
| Technical Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Height | 58 cm |
| Weight | 4,3 kg |
| Autonomy | 90 min. (constant walking) |
| Degrees of freedom | 21 to 25 |
| CPU | x86 AMD GEODE 500 MHz |
| Built-in OS | Linux |
| Compatible OS | Windows, MacOS, Linux |
| Programming languages | C++, C, Python, Urbi, .Net |
| Vision | Two CMOS 640 x 480 cameras[10] |
| Connectivity | Ethernet, Wi-Fi |
Robocup Edition has 21 degrees of freedom (DOF) while the Academics Edition has 25 DOF since it is built with two hands with gripping abilities. The figure of 25 for DOF is misleading as each leg has a "HipYawPitch" axis of movement that amounts to 1 DOF for the pelvis.
All versions feature an Inertial measurement unit and 4 Ultrasonic sensors that provide stability and positioning within space to NAO.
NAO also features a powerful multimedia system (4 microphones, 2 speakers, 2 CMOS cameras) for text-to-speech synthesis, sound localization or facial and shape recognition amongst various other abilities.
The package includes a dedicated programming software called Aldebaran Choregraphe and NAO is also compatible with Microsoft Robotics Studio, Cyberbotics Webots, and Gostai Urbi Studio.[11]
Availability
NAO has been available as a research and learning tool since 2008.
Since November 2010, Aldebaran Robotics allows private programmers to take part in the development of NAO for the general public, through its developer program. 200 units are available.[12]
References
- ^ Transclusion error: {{En}} is only for use in File namespace. Use {{lang-en}} or {{in lang|en}} instead. Nao robot replaces AIBO in RoboCup Standard Platform League, EnGadget.com, Aug 16th 2007
- ^ UK robots prepare for world cup
- ^ Le robot français NAO fait ses classes à l'Université de Tokyo
- ^ Robotic mascot entertains at Shanghai Expo
- ^ http://www.ted.com/talks/heather_knight_silicon_based_comedy.html
- ^ Youtube video of the latest version
- ^ Transclusion error: {{En}} is only for use in File namespace. Use {{lang-en}} or {{in lang|en}} instead. Standard Platform League, Tzi.de
- ^ Transclusion error: {{En}} is only for use in File namespace. Use {{lang-en}} or {{in lang|en}} instead. NAO Developer Program
- ^ Transclusion error: {{En}} is only for use in File namespace. Use {{lang-en}} or {{in lang|en}} instead. NAO for private users
- ^ http://www.gizmag.com/nao-all-rounder-robot/13445/
- ^ Transclusion error: {{En}} is only for use in File namespace. Use {{lang-en}} or {{in lang|en}} instead. Fiche produit de NAO Academics Edition v3.3, Aldebaran Robotics
- ^ Invitations to the developer program
External links
- Transclusion error: {{En}} is only for use in File namespace. Use {{lang-en}} or {{in lang|en}} instead. NAO - Official page of NAO
- Transclusion error: {{En}} is only for use in File namespace. Use {{lang-en}} or {{in lang|en}} instead.Template:Fr (NaoForge)
- Transclusion error: {{En}} is only for use in File namespace. Use {{lang-en}} or {{in lang|en}} instead. (Aldebaran's Youtube channel showing Researchers latest developments)