Forget hands, Toyota’s hug-ready robot picks up with its entire body
In the world of robotics, we’ve often seen robots rely on their mechanical hands to pick up and manipulate objects.
But that approach doesn’t quite capture the full essence of how humans interact with the world, especially when dealing with hefty items.
Enter Toyota’s groundbreaking creation, the Punyo soft robot. Unlike its traditional counterparts, Punyo takes inspiration from our own human behavior.
Imagine a robot that doesn’t just use its hands but also incorporates its chest, hips and arms to handle objects — just like we do.
Punyo features a cute and approachable face reminiscent of Disney’s Baymax from Big Hero 6. But there’s more. Punyo appears to be wearing a cozy looking sweater, which serves a practical purpose. It’s highly hug-focused.
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE
MORE: THE CREEPY-EYED ROBOT THAT WANTS TO BE YOUR FRIEND AND TEACHER
The sweater-like covering is made from grippy materials that provide a squishy, compliant layer over Punyo’s hard metal skeleton. Embedded within the fabric are tactile sensors that allow Punyo to feel precisely what it’s hugging, whether it’s a person or an object.
MORE: STOP LOADING THE DISHWASHER: THIS ROBOT AIMS TO DO ALL THE CLEAN-UP FOR YOU
Instead of traditional hands, Punyo has what Toyota calls "paws." These aren’t your typical paws. They’re more like inflatable hooves. These paws have tiny dots printed on the inside. When the paw touches something, the dots distort, revealing the shape and force of contact. The clever camera captures this deformation, and the information is fed directly to the robot's brain to help it grasp objects effectively.
MORE: CONSTRUCTION WORKERS BEING REPLACED BY AI ROBOT BRICKLAYERS
Punyo’s arms are arrays of air-filled bubbles, air tubes and pressure sensors that extend from shoulder to wrist. These bubbles can be individually pressure regulated, allowing for optimal stiffness based on the task at hand.
Through teleoperation, Toyota Research Group roboticists have been training Punyo to handle various large objects. Some techniques include:
TOYOTA IS USING AI TO DESIGN BETTER CARS FASTER
The lean and lift: Punyo leans forward, hugs items to its ches and then leans back to lift them.
Heap it up: Punyo even has the ability to heap objects, making it versatile for different scenarios.
Creative carrying: Imagine slinging a water jug up onto Punyo’s shoulder, where it remains steady from above.
Punyo's innovative design and emphasis on cuddling break new ground in soft robotics. Its gentle and precise grasp on large, awkward objects suggests exciting possibilities for robotic helpers in homes and other environments in the future.
Would you feel comfortable having a robot like Punyo in your home or at your workplace? Why or why not? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact
For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter
Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you'd like us to cover
Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:
Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
