Modulus robot
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Modulus is a household robot developed by Sirius, a company founded by Massimo Giuliana in 1982 to market home and personal computers. In 1984, Sirius began developing its own domestic robot, leading to the creation of the first Modulus prototype. Following the initial prototype, Japanese designer Isao Hosoe, who was based in Milan, was commissioned to design the robot’s exterior and later contributed to a broader technological redesign. The electronic and mechanical components were designed and manufactured by Data Process, while the software was developed with the assistance of the U.S.-based RB Robot Corporation, founded by Joseph H. Bosworth.
Two million dollars were invested in developing this particular piece of equipment. Research carried out in the United States showed that there would be greater development in this sector. It was also estimated that the use of "Modulus" could provide an opportunity to bring back into operation many PCs that were bought during the boom, but which are not used seldom, if ever. A good slice of the "Modulus" market could consist of the owners of these personal computers, newly aware of the possibility of connecting them to a personal robot.
"Modulus" was designed as a robot with possible domestic applications, but in reality it is open to any future development. Modularity - hence its name - is one of its principal characteristics, and it has been designed for adaptation to the widest possible range of applications. Comparing the robot with man, "Modulus" can be said to have an electronic "circulatory system" that permits the various extremities (arms, head, etc.) to communicate with the brain (CPU in a computer). The "Modulus" robots could have abilities such as a phonemes synthesizer, voice recognition, infrared communication, etc., making it suitable for performing many functions ranging from helping to teach children to assisting the handicapped or invalids.
When studying the eventual appearance of "Modulus", Isao Hosoe began by looking at the robots of the past. These included "Electro", built by Westinghouse in 1939. Hosoe hit on the right appearance by studying human expressions and gestures, bearing in mind that a domestic robot needs to be appealing on account of its proximity to man. Its eyelids have to open, its pupils dilate or contract. It must be able to nod or shake its head, bend its torso, and raise, lower and rotate its arms. "Modulus", however, has no feet. Available in three configurations - "Base", "Service & Security" and "Moddy" - "Modulus" stands on a Base unit 35 cm in diameter and 15 cm high, two two-speed motors connected to rubber wheels, and two spherical stabilizers. It comes with a small infrared Instrument for connecting it to another remote control device or for interacting with the major home and personal computers.
Base
This first unit can be added to for different functions. As it stands it can be used in hobbies as a home computer, self-propelled peripheral, and can be useful for people wanting to learn to program robots. The simplest attachments which can be connected to the Base unit are a vacuum cleaner and a plotter-mechanism that uses felt pens, etc., to produce drawings of considerable precision.
