Date:07/09/16

Scientists teach Disney's autonomous robot a sense of humour so he can play with children

This incredible new Disney autonomous robot takes human interaction to a whole new level. The hi-tech humanoid is powered by a fluid actuator, which is tubes filled with air and water. Footage shows 'Jimmy', who has been taught a sense of humour by scientists, waving at people, dancing and drumming on a table. And the robot even plays patty-cake with a child and even pats her cheeks.
 
The current version requires a human puppeteer to control its movements but the aim is that future models are autonomous. This squishy robot octopus is powered by FARTS and can move on its own.
 
John P. Whitney led the development of the robot while at Disney Research in Pittsburgh. He told IEEE Spectrum that people feel “a strong emotional connection” with Jimmy.
 
Jimmy is operated by a puppeteer hiding behind a wall, who uses a replica as a controller. It is coupled to the actual robot through air and water transmission lines. The puppeteer can move Jimmy's arms and feel when the robot gets touched or pushed.
 
A camera on Jimmy streams to a head-mounted display worn by the puppeteer and servos on the robot’s neck replicate the puppeteer’s head motions.

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