As someone with a degree in EE (and not glorified basket-weaving), I was more disappointed by the fact that I caught a glimpse of Windows XP being used on the laptops that was controlling the robot, instead of a real-time Linux-based platform, when I visited NEXTFEST last year.
Indeed, my suspicions were confirmed when I read the KAIST research paper:
The control architecture of HUBO FX-1 is the distributed control system. A Windows-based single
board computer was used as a main computer and the real-time control ability was established by
installing RTX (Real-Time eXtension, VenturCom Co.), a commercial software application, and a
CAN (Controller Area Network) card on the main computer.
No self-respecting robotics geeks should be using Microsoft products for dynamic machinery control applications.
If you are interested in classical mechanics, differential equations, transfer function modeling of bipedal ambulatory physics, and steady-state feedback control theory (as opposed to the cosmetic significance of Einstein’s hair), check out
As much as I appreciate how far Korean engineering has come in a short period of time, I have to think that the entire HUBO thing as a “me too” project.
Japan had ASIMO for a full two years before HUBO, right? Why spend the time and energy to duplicate what the Japanese have already done? Shouldn’t R&D dollars be spent on technologies that the Japanese were not first movers at?
Regarding Windows XP, HUBO was created with a fraction of the budget that ASIMO had. I’d imagine (but not sure) that XP was easier and faster then Linux.
#5> Wow, a chair with legs. Seems like something one would expect from an avant-garde sculpture exhibit.
#6> In a way you illustrate my point with this thing. If you have done something rather amazing, why the hell do you trivialize it with plastic masks and chairs? While obviously not prima facie evidence, the gimmicks make me wonder about the actual “innovations” KAIST likes to claim HUBO embodies.
#9> What I always found more telling is not the originality (especially with a such a complex and diverse set of technologies used in such a robot), rather what the whole thing indicates about Korean R&D. Japan in the past few years has had multiple companies invent multiple versions of bipedal robots. Yet in Korea, despite all its proclaimed interest in robots has built only one, and only under a wing of the government at that.
In my mind such a state leads me to three, not necessarily exclusive, conclusions: 1. The interest is not as widespread or as deep as claimed, 2. Cherry picking staff is the only way for Korea to assemble the enough bright minds to the project, 3. There is no innovation per se, rather simply implementation of existing technology. Which ones exactly? You tell me.
WangKon936, the reason that KAIST used Windows XP instead of Linux or Apple OS X for that matter is that the Wintel is pretty much entrenched in Korea. For Koreans involved in IT, it’s the only thing they see. Also Wintel is more readily available here compared to Linux or Apple, which means better maintenance/upgrade possiblities. That and a readily available pool of admins and programmers trained in Wintel, means that for Koreans who are in charge of IT policy and procurement, they will only go for Wintel. You can see evidence of this in Korea websites which are literally plastered with Active X components.
Mins reminds me of the recommendations I gave a friend for their corporate site: no active X crap and the site must work in multiple browsers.
I note that all Korean hosting limits the use of mail, for example, by only allowing for POP3 connections (Windows). If anyone knows anything differently, please shout out.
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I’m I the only one who gets creeped out by the plastic Einstein head on that thing?
With all the metro-sexual geeks running around Korea you’d think they’d condition his hair.
#1,
I can’t decide if I’m creeped out or disgusted by the fact that they used his likeness. I just hope that they paid royalties to his family.
Tell Kaist that NASA called, and they want their logo back…
http://www.tucoo.com/logo/logo.....s/NASA.png
KAIST also has a modified version of HUBO where they replaced Einstein’s head with a chair.
http://www.newlaunches.com/arc.....ir_bot.php
As someone with a degree in EE (and not glorified basket-weaving), I was more disappointed by the fact that I caught a glimpse of Windows XP being used on the laptops that was controlling the robot, instead of a real-time Linux-based platform, when I visited NEXTFEST last year.
Indeed, my suspicions were confirmed when I read the KAIST research paper:
The control architecture of HUBO FX-1 is the distributed control system. A Windows-based single
board computer was used as a main computer and the real-time control ability was established by
installing RTX (Real-Time eXtension, VenturCom Co.), a commercial software application, and a
CAN (Controller Area Network) card on the main computer.
No self-respecting robotics geeks should be using Microsoft products for dynamic machinery control applications.
If you are interested in classical mechanics, differential equations, transfer function modeling of bipedal ambulatory physics, and steady-state feedback control theory (as opposed to the cosmetic significance of Einstein’s hair), check out
http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~cga/legs/Paper_2.pdf
Gee, the head is not that bad — maybe some sunglasses would be fun but using a Windows-based controller . . . ouch.
#1,
I got creeped out by that mechanical Abe Lincoln in Disneyland.
As much as I appreciate how far Korean engineering has come in a short period of time, I have to think that the entire HUBO thing as a “me too” project.
Japan had ASIMO for a full two years before HUBO, right? Why spend the time and energy to duplicate what the Japanese have already done? Shouldn’t R&D dollars be spent on technologies that the Japanese were not first movers at?
Regarding Windows XP, HUBO was created with a fraction of the budget that ASIMO had. I’d imagine (but not sure) that XP was easier and faster then Linux.
#5> Wow, a chair with legs. Seems like something one would expect from an avant-garde sculpture exhibit.
#6> In a way you illustrate my point with this thing. If you have done something rather amazing, why the hell do you trivialize it with plastic masks and chairs? While obviously not prima facie evidence, the gimmicks make me wonder about the actual “innovations” KAIST likes to claim HUBO embodies.
#9> What I always found more telling is not the originality (especially with a such a complex and diverse set of technologies used in such a robot), rather what the whole thing indicates about Korean R&D. Japan in the past few years has had multiple companies invent multiple versions of bipedal robots. Yet in Korea, despite all its proclaimed interest in robots has built only one, and only under a wing of the government at that.
In my mind such a state leads me to three, not necessarily exclusive, conclusions: 1. The interest is not as widespread or as deep as claimed, 2. Cherry picking staff is the only way for Korea to assemble the enough bright minds to the project, 3. There is no innovation per se, rather simply implementation of existing technology. Which ones exactly? You tell me.
#6,
Yes, and aren’t bipedal robots so 1999?
#9.
WangKon936, the reason that KAIST used Windows XP instead of Linux or Apple OS X for that matter is that the Wintel is pretty much entrenched in Korea. For Koreans involved in IT, it’s the only thing they see. Also Wintel is more readily available here compared to Linux or Apple, which means better maintenance/upgrade possiblities. That and a readily available pool of admins and programmers trained in Wintel, means that for Koreans who are in charge of IT policy and procurement, they will only go for Wintel. You can see evidence of this in Korea websites which are literally plastered with Active X components.
Mins reminds me of the recommendations I gave a friend for their corporate site: no active X crap and the site must work in multiple browsers.
I note that all Korean hosting limits the use of mail, for example, by only allowing for POP3 connections (Windows). If anyone knows anything differently, please shout out.