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讓我為你們介紹一下Rezero,這個小傢伙是由蘇黎世聯邦理工學院自治系統實驗室,一個由10位大學生組成的團隊所開發的。
我們的機器人屬於一個機器人家族,名稱為球體平衡機器人。球體平衡機器人並非利用輪子,而是藉由一個球平衡和移動。這個系統主要特點是,它與地面只有單一接觸點,這意味著這個機器人本身是不穩定的,就像我試著以單腳站立一樣。
你們可能會自問,一個不穩定的機器人有什麼用處?現在我們很快就會解釋這一點,讓我先解釋Rezero事實上是如何保持平衡的。Rezero保持平衡的方法是,藉由一個感測器不斷地測量它的俯仰角,然後,它藉由適當地轉動馬達,抵消作用力及避免翻倒。這個感測作用每秒可進行160次,如果過程中有任何失敗,Rezero會立刻翻倒在地。
為了移動和平衡,Rezero需要轉動這個球,這個球由三個特殊的轉輪驅動,使Rezero可以移動到任何方向,同時也可繞著自己的軸移動。因為它的不穩定性,Rezero總是呈現運動狀態,現在,這就是其中巧妙之處。事實上,正因為這種不穩定性,使機器人呈現非常動態的移動模式,讓我們表演一下。你們或許想知道,如果我輕輕推一下機器人會發生什麼事。在這個模式下,它試圖保持原來的位置。
在接下來的展示中,我想向大家介紹我的同事,操作電腦的Michael,及上台協助我的Thomas。在下一個模式中,Rezero是被動的,我們可以讓它四處移動,幾乎不費任何力氣,我可以控制它的位置和速度,我也可以讓它旋轉。在下一個模式中,我們可以使Rezero跟隨一個人,他現在跟Thomas保持一定距離,這是利用一個安裝在Rezero頭頂的雷射感測器。用同樣的方法,我們也可以讓他繞著一個人旋轉,我們稱這個為軌道模式。好,謝謝你,Thomas。(掌聲)。
現在,這個技術有什麼用處?目前它還在實驗階段,但讓我向大家展示一些未來的可能應用。Rezero可用於展覽或公園,它可藉由螢幕來提供人們資訊,或以一種有趣且充滿娛樂性的方式進行導覽。在醫院裡,這個裝置可用於攜帶醫療設備,因為這個球體平衡機器人系統的移動步伐很小,也很容易四處移動。當然,人們不會想騎這個兜風。這些是較為實際的應用,但這個技術中確實也蘊含著一份美感。
(音樂)
(掌聲)
謝謝。
(掌聲)
謝謝。
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以下為系統擷取之英文原文
Let me introduce to you Rezero. This little fellow was developed by a group of 10 undergraduate students at the Autonomous Systems Laboratory at ETH-Zurich.
Our robot belongs to a family of robots called Ballbots. Instead of wheels, a Ballbot is balancing and moving on one single ball. The main characteristics of such a system is that there's one sole contact point to the ground. This means that the robot is inherently unstable. It's like when I am trying to stand on one foot.
You might ask yourself, what's the usefulness of a robot that's unstable? Now we'll explain that in a second. Let me first explain how Rezero actually keeps his balance. Rezero keeps his balance by constantly measuring his pitch angle with a sensor. He then counteracts and avoids toppling over by turning the motors appropriately. This happens 160 times per second, and if anything fails in this process, Rezero would immediately fall to the ground.
Now to move and to balance, Rezero needs to turn the ball. The ball is driven by three special wheels that allow Rezero to move into any direction and also move around his own axis at the same time. Due to his instability, Rezero is always in motion. Now here's the trick. It's indeed exactly this instability that allows a robot to move very [dynamically]. Let's play a little. You may have wondered what happens if I give the robot a little push. In this mode, he's trying to maintain his position.
For the next demo, I'd like you to introduce to my colleagues Michael, on the computer, and Thomas who's helping me onstage. In the next mode, Rezero is passive, and we can move him around. With almost no force I can control his position and his velocity. I can also make him spin. In the next mode, we can get Rezero to follow a person. He's now keeping a constant distance to Thomas. This works with a laser sensor that's mounted on top of Rezero. With the same method, we can also get him to circle a person. We call this the orbiting mode. All right, thank you, Thomas. (Applause)
Now, what's the use of this technology? For now, it's an experiment, but let me show you some possible future applications. Rezero could be used in exhibitions or parks. With a screen it could inform people or show them around in a fun and entertaining way. In a hospital, this device could be used to carry around medical equipment. Due to the Ballbot system, it has a very small footprint and it's also easy to move around. And of course, who wouldn't like to take a ride on one of these. And these are more practical applications. But there's also a certain beauty within this technology.
(Music)
(Applause)
Thank you.
(Applause)
Thank you.