QRIO

QRIO (“Quest for cuRIOsity“, originally named Sony Dream Robot or SDR) the biped humanoid robot from Sony Corp. Stood approximately 0.6 m (2 feet) tall and weighed 7.3 kg (16 pounds). Qrio is a remarkable assemblage of three powerful microprocessors, 38 motor actuators, three accelerometers, two charge-coupled device (CCD) cameras, and seven microphones.

Qrio debut

It can hear, speak, sing, recognize objects and faces, walk, run, dance, and grasp objects. Qrio can also recognize the voice of someone it knows and determine which direction the voice is coming from. The robot understands spoken commands, can say more than a thousand words, and is able to learn new ones. It also shows emotion by flashing colored lights that surround its eyes.

Qrio’s “voice” is generated using software that converts text to speech. In order to achieve stable motion control for conventional humanoid robots, either one or both feet needed to be touching the floor and, from the opposing force produced by the contact with either of the feet, motion such as walking was controlled. This is the control theory based on the so called ZMP (Zero Moment Point) stable range and forms the foundation of robot motion control. By implementing this newly developed ISA in QRIO and optimizing the new control system, Sony has successfully created the world’s first running feature for a humanoid robot.

Qrio dance Salsa

Unfortunately on January 26, 2006, on the same day as it announced its discontinuation of AIBO and other products, Sony announced that it would stop development of QRIO.