Car maker toyota has created a robot that can play Christmas carols on the violin. The 5ft-tall robot uses mechanical fingers to push the strings and plays the bow with its other arm.Toyota has already shown robots that roll around to work as guides and have fingers dextrous enough to play the trumpet.The car firm has also created a "mobility Robot" which provides transport in places where conventional wheeled vehicles would fail, including steps, making it the ideal aid for all those hours of Christmas shopping.The mobility robot can move at speeds of up to 4mph -human walking pace -and travel up to a distance of 13 miles on one hour of battery charge.In addition to being able to transport its owner, it can also follow people and avoid obstacles, allowing it to function as a porter, leaving the owner's hands free at the New Year sales.The violin-playing robot is capable of performing a variety of tasks with its hands and arms.Its delicacy of movement is best demonstrated by the fact it can play the violin, enabling it to play all the classic Christmas carols.The 1.5-metre tall machine, equipped with a total of 17 joints in each of its hands and arms, uses precise control and co-ordination to achieve human-like agility. It could also be used to assist with domestic duties or nursing and medical care.Toyota hopes to have these and other Toyota Partner Robots on sale in the early 2010s.
View: Full Article | Source: Lancashire Evening Post
