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These robots are capable of navigating in close quarters, and can detect and maneuver around both furniture and people.
Basil is programmed to deliver canapes and drinks at parties,
and can also take plates and dishes from the kitchen to the dining room and back.
While Basil is not equipped with hands, the robot can be programmed to follow a person
and act as a mobile support surface.
The BSL series robots feature:
- Advance Cybernetic Brains that allow them to
- model the world,
- adapt to changing conditions, and
- develop plans to achieve goals
- a state-of-the-art voice input system
- computer generated speech output, to enable a simple talk and listen interaction
- An advanced sonar imaging system that allows the robots to detect - and identify common objects such as tables, chairs, and people
Basil uses the advanced Cybernetic Brain designed by Gamma Two, specifically for autonomous mobile robots. This design is based on biological principles. It is modeled on the functional modules that make up all mammalian brains, which results in behaviors that are more acceptable to the owners. Among the functions that Basil is designed to provide are:
- Delivering small objects and packages around the home or office;
- Reminding its owners of appointments and scheduled events such as the time to take medications;
- Responding to doorbells, and relaying information from the visitor to the owner; and
- serving drinks and food at parties.
The robot has active sensors for obstacles, and can adapt its behavior as it learns from its environment. This enables Basil to adjust to the preferences of its owner, and fit in to each household or office with unique behaviors. A critical advantage provided by Basil is the ability to reason about the things that it encounters in the environment. Rather than simply classifying an obstacle, the robot is capable of identifying the type of objects: tables versus chairs, a person rather than a peice of furniture. This enables the robot to reason about the qualities of these objects and change its behavior (go around the chair, but ask a person to step aside). For a quick video of Basil in action click Here
The integration of the voice input system, the cybernetic brain, and the speech generation ability enable a very comfortable interaction with the robot. A typical exchange might be as simple as:
Owner: Basil goto.
Basil: Where do you want me to go?
O: Please go to the kitchen
B: You want me to go to the kitchen?
O: Yes, Basil.
B: Okay.
Or the interaction might be more complex, such as:
Owner: Basil deliver.
Basil: What do you want me to deliver?
O: the Tea Tray
B: Where do you want me to deliver the Tea Tray?
O: The conference room
B: You want me to get the TeaTray from the kitchen, and deliver it to the conference room?
O: Yes, Basil.
B: Okay.
In this case, Basil used the model of the world to remember where the Tea Tray was, and confirm the delivery instructions. At any point the user could have canceled the request, or told the robot that it had mis-understood the input.
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