Unit 5| ACTING ROBOTS 🟣 part 1: ROBOTHESPIAN | Upper Intermediate New Headway

Summary

Engineered Arts, a UK-based company, specializes in creating robots that integrate mechanics, software, and engineering to form a cohesive system. With a diverse team of 18 members, they use computer-aided design to develop robots, assembling each model by hand. Their flagship creation, Robo thespian, is designed to automate acting, featuring pre-programmable 3D animations, remote control, and face recognition. The robot's human-like movements and interactions aim to create an illusion of sentience, making it an engaging performer for audiences.

Takeaways

• 🤖 Will Jackson is the director of Engineered Arts, a UK-based company specializing in building robots.
• 🔧 Building robots involves not just mechanics but also software, engineering, and integration of various disciplines.
• 👥 The Engineered Arts team consists of 18 members from diverse backgrounds, including creatives, mechanical engineers, and electronic engineers.
• 💻 Designers and engineers use computer-aided design systems to develop robots, which are then assembled by hand in a workshop.
• 🎭 Engineered Arts' robots are not intended for factory work but for performing on stage in front of audiences.
• 🎭 The idea for Robo thespian originated 12 years ago for automating storytelling in a science museum.
• 🤖 Robo thespian can be pre-programmed with 3D animation software for various actions, dialogues, and even cheek color changes.
• 📡 The robot can be controlled remotely, with an operator interacting with the audience through the robot, giving the illusion of sentience.
• 👀 Robo thespian features face recognition technology, making eye contact and engaging with the audience to enhance its human-like qualities.
• 🧍‍♂️ The robot's human-like characteristics, such as eye contact, smiling, and waving, are essential for effective human-robot communication.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of Engineered Arts?

Engineered Arts specializes in building robots, integrating mechanics, software, engineering, and design to create working systems.

How many members are currently part of the Engineered Arts team?

There are 18 members in the Engineered Arts team.

What kind of backgrounds do the team members at Engineered Arts come from?

The team members come from a variety of backgrounds, including creative, mechanical engineering, electronic engineering, and more, making it a multi-disciplinary team.

What is the purpose of using computer-aided design systems in the offices at Engineered Arts?

Designers and engineers use computer-aided design systems to develop new and improved versions of the robots.

Where are the robots assembled in the Engineered Arts facility?

Every model is assembled by hand in the factory workshop downstairs at Engineered Arts.

What is unique about the robots Engineered Arts builds?

The robots built by Engineered Arts are not intended for factory work but are designed to perform on stage in front of audiences.

What was the initial idea behind creating Robo thespian?

The idea for Robo thespian was born out of a need to automate storytelling for a science museum, to avoid having humans repeat the same story all day.

How can Robo thespian be programmed and controlled?

Robo thespian can be pre-programmed with 3D animation software, and it can also be controlled remotely by an operator who can interact with the audience through the robot.

What features does Robo thespian have to create the illusion of being alive?

Robo thespian has face recognition technology, can make eye contact, engage with the audience, and even change the color of its cheeks, all contributing to the illusion of being alive and sentient.

Why is it important for Robo thespian to have human-like characteristics?

Human-like characteristics such as eye contact, smiling, and waving are vital for Robo thespian to communicate effectively with people, as these are the ways humans are accustomed to interacting.

What is the significance of the human shape in the design of Robo thespian?

The human shape is significant because it facilitates communication with people, as it emulates the familiar human characteristics that are essential for interaction.