Abstract: A robot of one aspect includes an outer skin with which a main body is covered. The outer skin includes an engagement portion that engages with the main body by the main body being covered therewith, extended portions that extend from the engagement portion, and attachment members, formed of a hard material, attached to the extended portions so as to extend in a width direction. The outer skin is fixed to the main body by the attachment members being fixed to the main body.

Abstract: A robot of one aspect includes a soft outer skin mounted so as to cover a first region (for example, a head portion) and a second region (for example, a trunk portion). The outer skin includes a base material having elasticity. Increased elasticity regions are provided between regions in contact with each of the first region and the second region in the base material (for example, between a head portion contact region and an abdominal portion contact region, or between the head portion contact region and a back portion contact region), and have an elasticity greater than that of the contact regions.

Abstract: A joint structure is used in connecting a first region and a second region of a robot. The joint structure includes a first member provided in the first region, a second member provided in the second region and having an engagement face that engages with the first member, and a coupling mechanism that causes a coupling force of the first member and the second member to be utilized to the full so that an engaged state of the first member and the second member is maintained. The coupling mechanism breaks the engaged state when a relative displacement of the first member and the second member from the engaged state exceeds a predetermined amount.

Abstract: Moderate heteronomy is introduced while respecting a concept of a robot that acts autonomously. A robot includes an actuality input system that acquires environment information relating to an actual space, a virtual reality input system that acquires an action order forwarded by a fairy, an operation control unit that determines a first motion of the robot in accordance with the action order based on the environment information, and determines a second motion of the robot in accordance with the action order, and a drive mechanism that executes the first motion and the second motion.

Abstract: Provided is a three-dimensional information detection device having a configuration in which detection accuracy of three-dimensional information of a measurement target object is not lowered even in a case where an optical system that includes a projection unit, a first imaging unit and a second imaging unit is covered with a light transmissive cover so that the optical system is not exposed to the outside. The three-dimensional information detection device includes the projection unit that projects an image pattern onto a measurement target object, the first imaging unit and the second imaging unit that respectively image the image pattern, a transmissive cover that covers the optical system that includes the projection unit, the first imaging unit, and the second imaging unit, and a calculation unit that calculates three-dimensional information of the measurement target object on the basis of the image pattern that is imaged using the first imaging unit and the second imaging unit.

Abstract: A monitor is installed in an eye of a robot, and an eye image is displayed on the monitor. The robot extracts a feature quantity of an eye of a user from a filmed image of the user. The feature quantity of the eye of the user is reflected in the eye image. For example, a feature quantity is a size of a pupillary region and a pupil image, and a form of an eyelid image. Also, a blinking frequency or the like may also be reflected as a feature quantity. Familiarity with respect to each user is set, and which user's feature quantity is to be reflected may be determined in accordance with the familiarity.

Abstract: A robot includes an operation control unit that determines an execution track, which is a movement path of the robot, and a drive mechanism that causes the robot to move along the execution track. The robot generates a planned track corresponding to an event before the event occurs. When the event actually occurs while the robot is moving along the execution track, the robot moves along the planned track rather than the execution track. A multiple of planned tracks are generated sequentially with respect to one event, and when a multiple of planned tracks have already been generated when the event occurs, one planned track is selected from among the multiple of planned tracks.

Abstract: A guest robot acquires a right of access to a resource a host robot can access after accreditation by the host robot. The host robot accredits the guest robot on condition that the guest robot is positioned within a predetermined distance. The guest robot receives behavioral characteristic information from a server that determines behavioral characteristics of the host robot, and selects a motion in accordance with the behavioral characteristic information. A behavioral restriction that is not imposed on the host robot may be imposed on the guest robot.

Abstract: A robot includes a filming unit that films a periphery, and a movement control unit that controls a distance from a filmed target object in accordance with a size of the target object. The robot may further include an operation control unit that controls an operation of a head portion, and a recognizing unit that recognizes a face of the filmed target object. The operation control unit may control the operation of the head portion so that a line of sight of the head portion reaches an angle of looking up directed at the face of the target object. The movement control unit may control the distance from the target object in accordance with a height of the target object.

Abstract: A robot detects a voice using a microphone array, and identifies a sound source direction. The robot directs a head portion in the sound source direction. When an object including characteristics as a voice emitting body is detected in a filming region of a sound source direction identified using the microphone array, the voice emitting body is identified as a voice emission source. When a voice emitting body is identified as a voice emission source, the robot directs a body toward a sound source (emission source). When a special environmental sound is detected, a predetermined motion is executed.

Abstract: A station includes a table upon which a robot rides, a frame disposed so as to enclose a perimeter of the table, a charging unit that charges the robot on the table, a movement mechanism for causing the frame to move along the perimeter of the table, and a movement control unit that controls the movement mechanism. The station may include a reference value providing unit that provides a detection target of an incorporated sensor for an operation of calibrating the sensor by the robot, and outputs a signal indicating a correct detected value of the detection target.

Abstract: An aspect of the invention provides technology of changing behavioral characteristics when clothing is put on a robot. An autonomously acting robot includes an operation control unit that controls an operation of the robot, a drive mechanism that executes an operation specified by the operation control unit, and an equipment detecting unit that detects clothing worn by the robot. The robot refers to action restriction information correlated in advance to the clothing, and regulates an output of the drive mechanism.

Abstract: A robot is obtained by a multiple of arm units being continuously connected. Interlocked arm units have mutually coaxial and perfectly circular end faces in a connection portion thereof. One arm unit drives another arm unit so as to rotate centered on an axial line of the connection portion. The robot may include a unit having a curved external form as the arm unit.

Abstract: A planar touch sensor (an electrostatic capacitance sensor) for detecting a contact by a user on a body surface is installed on a robot. Pleasantness and unpleasantness are determined in accordance with a place of contact and a strength of contact on the touch sensor. Behavioral characteristics of the robot change in accordance with a determination result. Familiarity with respect to the user who touches changes in accordance with the pleasantness or unpleasantness. The robot has a curved form and has a soft body.

Abstract: A robot includes an operation control unit that selects a motion of the robot, a drive mechanism that executes a motion selected by the operation control unit, and a remaining battery charge monitoring unit that monitors a remaining charge of a rechargeable battery. Behavioral characteristics of the robot change in accordance with the remaining battery charge. For example, a motion with a small processing load is selected at a probability that is higher the smaller the remaining battery charge. Referring to consumption plan data that define a power consumption pace of the rechargeable battery, the behavioral characteristics of the robot may be caused to change in accordance with a difference between the remaining battery charge scheduled in the consumption plan data and the actual remaining battery charge.

Abstract: A robot includes a body, a wheel having a ground contacting surface when moving, and a wheel drive mechanism that drives the wheel so as to advance from a housing space provided in the body to an exterior and withdraw. The wheel drive mechanism causes the wheel to withdraw to the housing space in a non-ground contacting state when a housing condition is satisfied. The body has a ground contacting bottom face that comes into contact with the ground when the wheel is housed in the housing space in a non-ground contacting state.

Abstract: A robot sets a cool point as a movement target point, and specifies route coordinates and coordinates for reaching the cool point. The robot moves to the cool point via the route, which is of a lower temperature. The robot searches for the cool point by referring to a temperature map showing a temperature distribution in a range in which the robot can move. Also, the robot compiles and updates the temperature map by measuring peripheral temperature as appropriate using a thermometer incorporated in the robot.