Japanese Scientists Create Robot 'Avatar'

TOKYO - Japanese scientists have created robots that can mimic human movements controller. This technology makes the Hollywood blockbuster "Avatar" getting closer to reality.
By using special equipment TELESAR V, the users allowing them to not only ordered the action to the robot from a remote machine, but also to see, hear and feel the same as perceived robotic machines.
"When I put on the device and move my body, I saw my hands have turned into a robot hand. When I move my head, I get a different view with which I had before," said researcher Sho Kamuro.
"It's a strange experience that makes you think whether you really have to be a robot," he said as reported by AFP on Friday (10/02/2012).
According to Professor Susumu Tachi, an engineering and virtual reality in the Graduate School of Media Design, Keio University, the system is attached to the headgear, vests, and gloves operator or user, sending detailed instructions to the robot, which then mimics every movement of the user.
At the same time, the android direction sensor communicates the information flow is converted into a sensation for its users.
Polyester gloves are used operator connected with the semiconductor and small engines that allow users to "feel" what touched the hands of mechanics: whether the surface is smooth, bulge or hot and cold.
"Eyes" is actually a robot camera that can capture images and the results will appear in a small video screen in front of the user's eyes. This allows the user to see in three dimensions.
Then the microphone on the robot serves to take the vote, while the speaker allows the user to make his voice heard by those who are near the robot.
TELESAR - TELexistence surrogate anthropomorphic robot - this is far from the creation of a futuristic "Avatar" by James Cameron, in which U.S. troops can remotely control the bodies of genetically engineered alien race who they want to conquer.
But it said Tachi, this technology can be applied directly, for example, to work in high-risk environments, eg in nuclear power plants Fukushima, Japan's nuclear crisis.
"I think further research and development could allow the robot goes into areas that are too dangerous for humans and do work that requires human expertise," he said.