SEER is a compact humanoid robot developed as results of deep research on gaze and human facial expression. The robot is able to focus the gaze directions on a certain point, without being fooled by the movement of the neck. As a result, the robot seems as if it has its own intentions in following and paying attention to people and its environment. Using a camera sensor and eye tracking, it has an interactive gaze. In addition, by drawing the curve of the eyebrow using soft elastic wire, I was able to enrich the emotional expression of the robot.
The purpose of my research and development is not to answer the philosophical question “Will a robot (or computer) obtain a mind or emotions like mankind?” but to portray the sense of conscious human emotion. I think it is possible to represent human-like communications by constructing an adequate interaction system between emotional sensing and expressions. If we understand and identify with robots that can learn the functions and usages of emotional expressions from interactions with people, get a good command of them accordingly with situations and context, could we distinguish them from those with real minds and emotions?
As the first step to realizing this, I thought two conditions were necessary: the eyes to detect the appearance of another’s face, and the face to be made appealing to the viewer’s eye.
Credits:
Technically supported by Takanari Miisho, Yuki Koyama
