Robots may not be able to do everything like humans yet; however, the final version of Sony’s humanoid robot comes with an intriguing feature: a third eye.
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QRIO – Sony’s Robot; Height: 23 inches (58 cm); Weight: 16.5 pounds (7.5 kg) |
Equipped with a camera positioned as a third eye (similar to the character Erlang Shen from the classic novel “Journey to the West” by Wu Cheng’en), QRIO – the name of the robot – can observe multiple people at once and focus on a specific target among them. Unlike a deity, QRIO uses its third eye to register the various movements occurring around it. Additionally, QRIO possesses remarkable flexibility in its movements.
During a demonstration of smart machinery last Friday in Ginza, QRIO amusingly walked towards the audience, swaying to the music as it walked. QRIO showcased its agility by wiggling its fingers and twisting its arms while dancing to the rhythm. Immediately afterward, QRIO turned to face a group of women and responded to a person who waved at it.
Furthermore, QRIO exhibited its ability to recognize objects based on size and color. QRIO skillfully used its hand to lift an object it was asked to pick up. Before attempting this task, it even muttered to itself, “I wonder if I can lift this up.” Nevertheless, it accomplished the task successfully.
Sony plans to launch this new robot model in March next year.
Thanks to advancements in material science and information technology, robots are increasingly resembling humans. The combination of these two fields promises that in the not-so-distant future, we will have true “machine” companions.
