Disaster response crawler robot OCTOPUS has four arms and four flippers for better adaptability to disaster environments. To further improve the robot mobility and terrain adaptability in unstructured terrain, we propose a new locomotion control method called compound motion pattern (CMP) for multi-limb robots like OCTOPUS. This hybrid locomotion by cooperating the arms and flippers would be effective to adapt to the unstructured terrain due to combining the advantages of crawling and walking. As a preliminary study on CMP, we proposed a fundamental and conceptual CMP while clarifying problems in constructing CMP, and developed a semi-autonomous control system for realizing the CMP. Electrically-driven OCTOPUS was used to verify the reliability and correctness of CMP. Results of experiments on climbing a step indicate that the proposed control system could obtain relatively accurate terrain information and the CMP enabled the robot to climb the step. We thus confirmed that the proposed CMP would be effective to increase terrain adaptability of robot in unstructured environment, and it would be a useful locomotion method for advanced disaster response robots.

We developed a four-arm four-crawler advanced disaster response robot called OCTOPUS. Disaster response robots are expected to be capable of both mobility, e.g., entering narrow spaces over very rough unstable ground, and workability, e.g., conducting complex debris-demolition work. However, conventional disaster response robots are specialized in either mobility or workability. Moreover, strategies to independently enhance the capability of crawlers for mobility and arms for workability will increase the robot size and weight. To balance environmental applicability with the mobility and workability, OCTOPUS is equipped with a mutual complementary strategy between its arms and crawlers. The four arms conduct complex tasks while ensuring stabilization when climbing steps. The four crawlers translate rough terrain while avoiding toppling over when conducting demolition work. OCTOPUS is hydraulic driven and teleoperated by two operators. To evaluate the performance of OCTOPUS, we conducted preliminary experiments involving climbing high steps and removing attached objects by using the four arms. The results showed that OCTOPUS completed the two tasks by adequately coordinating its four arms and four crawlers and improvement in operability needs.

SDR-4X II is the latest prototype model which is a small biped entertainment robot. We improved the SDR-4X. In this paper we report about the sensor system of this robot which is important and essential for a small biped entertainment robot which can be used in the home environment. One technology is the design of a vision sensor system. The configuration and the distance image acquisition are explained. Another technology is the audio sensor system technology which obtains the sound and the voice information. The hardware system and the direction recognition are explained. Next technology is the inclination sensor system and the force sensor system which obtains the inclination of the trunk and the foot with force. These sensor systems are the key to make the biped robot walking and dynamic motion highly stable. The robot is used in normal home environment, so we should strongly consider the safety for humans. Lastly we explain the safety sensor system for humans.

SDR-4X II is the latest prototype model which is a small biped entertainment robot. Formerly we reported the outline of SDR-4X II, and mechanical system, control system and sensor system. In this paper we report about analysis of various important motions of this small biped entertainment robot which is used in home environment. Humanoid type robot basically has very small foot area and the standing stability is essentially very low. Therefore we do not try that the robot never falls down, but we have to think that the robot sometimes surely falls down by some reasons. And when it falls down, the robot should not be damaged and stand up by himself. In this paper, we describe the method of falling-over and standing up motions and analyze the measured joint angle data and confirm the successfulness of our measures. The major point of the shock absorbing method is the motion of effective joints and the real-time servo loop gain modification control. Lastly as one of the important motions, the wide-angle turn motion analysis is explained.

SDR-4X is the latest prototype model, which remains a small humanoid type robot and is expanding its capabilities for the adaptability in home environment. Some of the new key technologies have been developed for SDR-4X. The first is newly developed small robot actuators named ISA-4, the second is real-time integrated adaptive motion control. The third is a motion creating software system, which allows us to create SDR's attractive motion performances. The fourth technology is real-time real-world space perception, and the fifth is multi-modal human robot interaction. These five technologies enable to realize a capable robot that can be adopted with human in home environment. In addition, we have explored and developed entertainment applications using these technologies. A cappella chorus performance and a high-tempo dance performance are introduced as the attractive applications.

In this paper we describe the autonomous behavior control architecture of SDR-4X, which serves to integrate multi-modal recognition and motion control technologies. We overview the entire software architecture of SDR-4X, which is composed of perception, short and long term memory, behavior control, and motion control parts. Regarding autonomous behavior control, we further focus on issues such as spontaneous behavior generation using a homeostasis regulation mechanism, and a behavior control/selection mechanism with tree-structured situated behavior modules. In the autonomous behavior control architecture, we achieve three basic requirements, which are the concurrent evaluation of the situation of each behavior module, concurrent execution of multiple behavior modules, and preemption (behavior interruption/resume capability). Using the autonomous behavior control architecture described, we demonstrate that SDR-4X can spontaneously and passively interact with a human.

SDR-4X is the latest prototype model, which is a small humanoid type robot. We reported the outline of this robot last year. In this paper we discuss more about mechanical system, which is important and original for a small biped entertainment robot, which will be used, in home environment. One technology is the design of actuators alignment in the body, which enables dynamic motion performance. Another technology is the actuator technology, which we originally developed, named intelligent servo actuator (ISA). We explain the specification and the important technical points. Next technology is the sensor system, which supports the high performance of the robot, especially the detection of outside objects, ability of stable walking motion and safe interaction with human. The robot is used in normal home environment, so we should strongly consider the falling-over of the robot. We propose the ideas against falling-over which makes the robot as safe as possible.

In this paper we propose a novel application of a humanoid robot: Motion Entertainment, i.e., entertaining people with motion performance of a small humanoid robot. We develop a prototype humanoid robot named SDR-3X, which is about 50 cm height with 26 DOF. Performing to high tempo music with fast speed whole body motion can provide a big impact to an audience. Some key technologies such as a newly developed actuator enable the realization of SDR-3X. In addition, the use of OPEN-R is another key factor for quick development. We describe the architecture and the key technologies of SDR-3X. We also describe a demonstration of Motion Entertainment by SDR-3X.