ROBOTS IN CONTEXT
A world where smart robots work with first responders , caregivers for the elderly , family physicians and classroom teachers may not belong to a universe full of Jedis and Wookies .
This world is the goal of the Contextual Robotics Institute , the latest collaboration between the Jacobs School of Engineering and the Division of Social Sciences at UC San Diego . The interdisciplinary institute will bring together computer and cognitive scientists with engineers to build robotics systems that can function efficiently in the real world using contextual information perceived in real time .
NAME
EINSTEIN ROBOT
CREATORS
Javier Movellan | Machine Perception Lab Hanson Robotics
ORIGINS
The Einstein robot was created in order to better understand how humans and robots can perceive emotions . “ When a robot interacts in a way we feel is human , we can ’ t help but react ,” says Movellan . “ Developing a robot like this one teaches us how sensitive we are to biological movement and facial expressions , and when we get it right , it ’ s really astonishing .”
Einstein may be “ head and shoulders ” above other bots , but occasionally he ’ s given a body too . Check out his dance moves at tritonmag . com / bots .
SUPERPOWERS
Einstein ’ s facial recognition software , developed by Movellan and a team of graduate students at the Qualcomm Institute , is based on a series of computational algorithms derived from an analysis of more than 1 million facial images . It allows Einstein to understand and respond to a number of “ perceptual primitives ,” such as expressions of sadness , anger , fear , happiness and confusion . This kind of “ empathy ” allows it to interact with humans in a relatively natural , conversational way .
COMPOSITION
The robot is equipped with 31 motors — 17 of which spring into action when it needs to smile . That smile is convincing thanks to a patented , flesh-like material called , Frubber™ , or “ flesh rubber ,” complete with realistic pores that measure from 4 to 40 nanometers .
“ We ’ re looking at robotics up close and personal with people , and in deep partnership with the people who understand how humans learn .”
AL PISANO Dean of the Jacobs School of Engineering
According to the Dean of Social Sciences Carol Padden , M . A . ’ 80 , Ph . D . ’ 83 , social and cognitive scientists lend a deep understanding of the human brain , which helps computer scientists develop algorithms that allow robotic brains better interact with the environment . Engineers can then apply this research into the sophisticated robots and robotics systems they create .
Collaboration between social scientists and engineers is already underway . Cognitive scientist Andrea Chiba and bioengineer Todd Coleman are using a robotic rodent to better understand social interactions with live rats . The lessons learned will one day be useful to improve interactions between humans and robots .
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