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Newscasters seemed to be mocking Sony\u2019s child-shaped walking robot that can now jog.\u00a0 Personally, I think it\u2019s amazing that the robot can now actually jump and lift itself off the ground.<\/p>\n
Sony shows off jogging robot <\/strong>
\nA small step for a Sony robot could turn out to be a giant leap for robotkind.\u00a0 Sony has showed a new version of its Qrio robot that can jog at a top speed of 14 metres per minute.\u00a0 Running is a much more difficult task for a robot to perform as both of the machine\u2019s feet must be off the floor at the same time.<\/p>\nSony said the Qrio jogging robot was the result of three years of work but that it had no plans to put it on sale like the Aibo robot dog.<\/p>\n
Moving machine<\/strong>
\nThe robot, which was previously known as the SDR, has previously been shown walking, climbing a shallow slope, kicking a ball and dancing.\u00a0 Now Sony has updated the robot, which is usually shown off at trade shows and corporate events, to run slowly for a short distance.\u00a0 If the 58cm high robot were human-sized, it would be able to run at a speed of about 2.4km\/h (1.5mph).<\/p>\nIn the demonstration the robot started at a slow walk, slowly accelerated to a slow jog and then slowed down to walking speed again.\u00a0 During that time both of its feet were off the ground for four one-hundredths of a second.\u00a0 \u201cAs humans we find running and walking extremely easy,\u201d said Toshi Doi, Sony Executive Vice-President.\u00a0 \u201cBut for a humanoid robot to run and walk may not sound that exciting, but please remember what a big surprise it was when the first bipedal robots walked.\u201d Sony said it had to make changes to the robot\u2019s joints and central processor to make the jump and keep it upright while jogging.<\/p>\n
Qrio has on board two digital cameras that help its learn about its surroundings and recognise up to 10 faces.\u00a0 The tiny jump puts Sony ahead of Honda which has shown off its Asimo robot that, so far, can only walk.\u00a0 Sony has enjoyed huge success with its Aibo robot dog and has sold more than 130,000 units of that technological pet.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n