CES 2010: Gamma Two Creates Cybernetic Robot Brain

Gamma Two specializes in  autonomous mobile robots for the home and office domains. The robots utilize their  ‘Cybernetic Brain’, a hierarchical system with multiple processors, including PCs and microcontrollers. The robots use sonars to perceive the world, a motor system to move around, an encoder system to estimate position, and a reactive system to avoid obstacles.

The robots are actually able to  identify and differentiate between common objects and  people. It can even plan sequences of actions. As you see in the picture, this robot can serve tea.   It knows where the kitchen is, and can recognize its specific sonar signature. If he gets lost he can ask for assistance or keep looking until he finds his destination, all the while safely navigating in a crowded space. Did this make anyone else think of Marvin from Hitchikers?

This ability would make them ideal as security robots, where they can detect changes that indicate problems, and respond appropriately. Another application the company points out is as household assistants they can adapt to the needs of a specific home environment, and adjust their behavior to fit in with the people, rather that forcing the people to change for the machines.  Here is a link to take a look at a couple robots that use this brain.