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HRP (Kawada)

AIST Humanoid Robotics Group
http://www.is.aist.go.jp/humanoid/

Kawada
http://www.kawada.co.jp/ams/hrp-2/index.html

General Robotix (Commercial development)
http://www.generalrobotix.com

P L Y O J U M P
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More Robots That Jump
Asimo	Toyota	HRP-2	New Era	QRIO	SILF
HOAP	ZMP	KHR	Gallopers	Robo-Garage	Exoskeletons
Robot Cars	Vstone	JVC	RoboSapien	Other	Can't Jump
Pseries	Competitions	Events

Developed in the Humanoid Robotics Project at Kawada Industries, Japan. One of the few robots that has actually "jumped" - about 4 mm off the ground. General Robotix is commercializing the system, and the robotic software is available under the Open HRP Project.

The HRP was initially developed as part of a five-year program launched by Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in 1998, "Humanoid Robotics Projects (HRP)" under the project leader, Mr. Hirochika Inoue, Professor of Tokyo University. The project goal was a first-geneneration robot that could work in human environments and use human tools. The initial project was completed in 2003, but General Robotix is commercializing the HRP and its building blocks (e.g. servos). http://www.aist.go.jp/aist_e/aist_today/2003_07/2003_07_01/2003_07_main1.html
http://www.aist.go.jp/aist_e/new_research/2003/20030120_2/20021219_2.html

Compared to the Asimo, the HRP can do several unique things. First, it can lie down and get back up again - something small humanoids can do, but none as large as the HRP. It accomplishes this with a flexible torso joint, bending rather than rotating as seen in newer Asimo models. The spindly design of the legs allows one leg to be put in front of the other - in theory, the HRP could walk on a narrow plank or through very narrow spaces. It uses 2 1GHz onboard computers for control, and has three visual sensors.

The HRP-2m is a mini version of the HRP. Like its big brother, it can be controlled wirelessly.

More info at:
http://robot.watch.impress.co.jp/cda/news/2006/05/29/5.html

http://www.generalrobotix.com/product/choromet/index.htm

Click here for a Windows Media Video!

The HRP-3P is an updated version of the HRP series which can function in "real world" environments. It can operate outdoors in icy, rainy and snowy conditions. It retains the same torso joint, but appears to hav eput additional sensors (IR?) in the head area, and possibly directional microphones.

Some additional shots of the HRP-3P

HRP2 drumming

The HRP Promet debuted at Robodex 2002. It is 60" tall (154 cm), weighs 58kg (127 lbs) and has 30 DOF. Here, the HRP opens the festivities by drumming at the 2005 at the Aichi World Expo site, at Nagakute, central Japan.

HRP-2 dancing

Here's a shot of what qualifies the HRP as a Robot That Jumps - an HRP performing traditional Japanese dance in early 2005. The dance moves were programmed into the robot via a motion-capture process very similar to that used to move animated characters. But since the HRP-2 is a real-world machine, it is much more difficult to make this work than animating a virtual character which does not encounter real-world problems like falling over.

Demonstration of HRP-2 abilities (click images for avi movies)


Teamwork putting up a panel	Walking over rough terrain	Walking through the room

HRP-2 at Robodex 2003

Click image for Windows Media video of the HRP-2 walking.

HRP at Robodex 2003, standing up from kneeling position and beginning to walk. Click image to view movie (MPG)
HRP continues its walk (Windows Media)

Link below to a RealVideo showing the HRP walking, lying down, and getting up again:

http://it.nikkei.co.jp/it/sp/robodex2003.cfm?i=20030402vv010vv

Flexible torso

A nice shot from behind, showing the great flexibility of the HRP torso.

Movie of HRP standing up. One of the key abilities of the HRP is the ability to lie down and stand up again. It can do this because it has a flexible torso, and does not have a large external backpack.

HRP-2 standing up after lying down at Robodex 2003

A newer model of the HRP (2w) on a wheeled, rather than legged platform.

HRP-2 in its "transformer" costume, lined up with other robots at Robodex 2003. The Honda Asimo can be seen to the left of the "Hospi" robot and the head of the Sony QURO can be seen at the far left of the page. The HRP is a large, powerful robot compared to others seen at Robodex.

HRP-2P

Kawada Robot HRP-2P, front view

A slightly earlier model of the HRP-2

HRP-1S

An even earlier model, the HRP-1S, looking a lot like the Honda P3 robot with a large external backpack and rigid torso. Used in experiments operating machinery and doing chores around the house. Click on image for a short movie of the HRP-1S walking.

HRP-1S operates a backhoe

Below, the HRP-1S operates a backhoe while dressed in protective gear. It is being tele-operated and not working in autonomous mode. It demonstrates the value of a robot that can use existing machines designed for people.

HRP-2 operating a backhoe

HRP robot using lever

"There is only one condition in which we can imagine managers not needing subordinates, and masters not needing slaves. This would be if every machine could work by itself, at the word of command or by intelligent anticipation."
- Aristotle, from his justification of slavery in Politics

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