Sanbot (robot) explained

Sanbot
Manufacturer:Qihan Technology Co. Ltd.[1]
Country: China
Year Of Creation:2016 prototype
Type:Humanoid robot
Purpose:Retail, Hospitality, Education, Health care, Entertainment and Security

Sanbot is an intelligent, cloud-enabled service robot[2] developed by Qihan Technology Co. Ltd., a robotics and AI company who has their headquarters in Shenzhen, China.[3] Qihan has launched three generations of intelligent robots under the Sanbot brand – Sanbot Elf (QIHAN Technology renamed the first generation Sanbot to Sanbot Elf,[4]) Sanbot King Kong[5] and Sanbot Nano.[6]

Development history

Sanbot was first introduced to the public at the Internationale Funkausstellung (IFA) in Berlin in 2016.[7] The initial model, later known as Sanbot Elf, featured capabilities like voice recognition, interactive touchscreens, and the ability to perform tasks such as greeting and assisting customers. Sanbot Elf was deployed in various applications, including customs and airport services at locations such as Gongbei Port of Entry and Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport, where it was used for passenger service and security purposes.[8]

QIHAN Technology continued to innovate with the release of Sanbot King Kong at the 2017 World Robot Conference in Beijing, and its introduction to the North American market at CES 2018. The Sanbot King Kong model was designed to move at speeds up to five meters per second and tow up to 165 pounds.[9]

Sanbot Nano, another iteration designed for home use, was launched in 2017 at the IFA Expo in Berlin. Sanbot Nano integrated Amazon's Alexa Voice Service, allowing users to control home appliances through voice commands.[10]

Variants & Design

Sanbot Elf

The Elf has 360 perception. The robot also is able to use Voice Interaction & localization, Facial Recognition, Video Chat, Obstacle Avoidance, and Auto charging.[11] [12] [13]

Components

Sanbot robot adopts components and systems from other international tech companies for its hardware and software. The forward cameras are from Sony, and touchscreen from Sharp. IBM Watson powers the artificial intelligence capabilities, and Nuance provides the voice recognition.[14] [15]

Specifications

Sanbot Elf
Dimensions
Weight19kg (42lb)
BatteryLithium-ion battery
Capacity: 20Ah/300W
Running time(Full Loading): about 4 Hours; Standby for over 10 hours
Display10.1 inch 1080P HD capacitance 10-point touch display
HeadMic x 7, RGB Camera x 2, 3D sensor x 1, Touch sensor x 7
BodyGyroscope sensor x 1, Induction sensor x 2, IR obstacle sensor x 1, IR message sensor
x 6, Touch sensor x 4, Electronic compass x 1
HandsIR obstacle sensor x 4, Touch sensor x 2
LegsIR obstacle sensor x 10, Omni Wheel x 3
Moving partsHead: 2 x DOF, 180 degree at horizontal direction, 30 degree at vertical direction
Hand: 1x2(L/R) DOF, 270 degree swing back and forth
Leg: 3 x DOF, Free angle
Video8.0MP HD camera
1.0MP HD color camera with 140 degree aspheric surface angle
Display10.1 inch 1080P HD capacitance 10-point touch display
ProjectionLaser: 1920 x 720
HD wide gamut output: 60 Hz
Aspect-ratio: 16:9
PlatformROS1.1
SoundVoice control, 360 degree sound localization
2 x tweeter, 1 x woofer
NetworkingWi-Fi

IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n (2.4 GHz/5 GHz)
Wireless: Bluetooth4.0, ZigBee

Atmosphere lamp250 customizable colors;
2 cycles for ears, 2 pcs for hands, and 1 cycle for chassis
Moving speedUp to 2.88km/h
GradeUp to 1.5cm (00.6inches)

Sanbot King Kong

Physical Design

Standing at 4.8feet tall, Sanbot King Kong has two bionic arms and hands that provide degrees of freedom similar to a human arm. Its waist can change the body’s center of gravity and adjust its posture, for carrying objects on uneven terrain. Sanbot King Kong features a four-wheel drive system with an external wheel motor and Mecanum wheel chassis design achieving speeds up to 5m/s. Sanbot King Kong can tow up to 165 pounds.[16]

Hardware & Software

Sanbot King Kong has six built-in microphones in its head and a speech recognition program that can separate background noise in busy or loud areas. With an AI system powered by IBM Watson and Nuance, Sanbot King Kong is capable of speech recognition and can identify and communicate in 26 different languages. Sanbot King Kong has 3D cameras vSLAM (vision simultaneous localization and mapping), combining infrared, ultrasound and visual obstacle avoidance technology to allow Sanbot King Kong to map out unfamiliar environments and avoid glass doors and falling objects. Sanbot King Kong has a security password system on its head to protect the robot from unwanted access to its USB ports and power-supply ports.

Specifications

Sanbot King Kong
Dimensions
Weight100kg (200lb)
BatteryLithium-ion battery
Capacity: 36V/1.6KW
Running time(Full Loading): about 18 hours
Display10.1 inch 1080P HD capacitance 10-point touch display
Degrees of FreedomHead x 3, Arm x 10, Palm x 10, Foot x 4
Moving4-wheel drive
External wheel motor and Mecanum wheel
Vertical Jump1.77 in/4.5 cm
PlatformAndroid/Linux/ROS/RTOS
HeadMicrophone x7, Eye Display: OLED x 2, Background lights: RGB X 2, Speakers: Tweeter x2, Degrees of movement x 3, HD camera (720P) x 1, Visual Camera x 1, 3D Camera x 1, Lighting: LED Light x 1, Touch Sensor x 1
Torso10.1-inch 1080P touch screen, HD Camera x 1, PIR x 2, Ultrasonic sensor x 2, Speakers Tweeter x 2, Touch sensor x 2
Backside Cover: Type-A USB x 2, Micro USB x 1, Dial Switch x 2
Front Side Cover: AC 220 V Power Outlet x 1, HDMI Port x 1, Type-A USB x 1, DC 12 V Port x 1, RJ45 Ethernet Port x 1, AUDIO IN Port x 1, I2C Interface x 1
Support Frame: Pressure transducer x1
Arm (x2)Degrees of Freedom x 5, Touch Sensor x 4, Infrared Distance Sensor x 3, Background Light x 1
ChassisExternal Wheel Hub Motor x 4, Mecanum Wheel x 4, Infrared Distance Sensor x 18, Ultrasonic Sensor x 6, 3D Camera x 4, Vision Camera x 1, Subwoofer x 1, Drawbar x 1, On/Off Switch x 1, Charging Port x 1, Charging Indicator Light x 1, Turn Signal x 3, Magnetic Sensor x 2, RFID x 1, RJ45 Ethernet Port x 1, DC 12V Port x 1, AUDIO IN Port x 1
Moving speedUp to 18km/h
Max Freight Weight75kg (165lb)

Sanbot Nano

Sanbot Nano stands at 2.7 feet tall and is equipped with over 50 sensors to avoid objects in its way, recognize voices and know when someone enters the room. Sanbot Nano inherits popular features from Sanbot Elf including the Android SDK, Sanbot App Store and automatic charging. It adopts Amazon’s Alexa (Alexa Voice Service) and families can use it to control lights, thermostats and home appliances. It is the first home robot adopting the Amazon Alexa AI system.[17]

Specifications

Sanbot Nano
Dimensions
Weight19kg (42lb)
BatteryLithium-ion battery
Capacity: 20Ah/300W
Running time(Full Loading): about 4 Hours; Standby for over 10 hours
Display10.1 inch 1080P HD capacitance 10-point touch display
HeadMic x 7, RGB Camera x 2, 3D sensor x 1, Touch sensor x 7
BodyGyroscope sensor x 1, Human body induction sensor x 2, IR evading obstacle sensor x 1, IR message receiving sensor
x 6, Touch sensor x 4, electronic compass sensor x 1
HandsIR evading obstacle sensor x 4, Touch sensor x 2
LegsIR evading obstacle sensor x 10, Omni Wheel x 3
Moving partsHead: 2 x DOF, 180 degree at horizontal direction, 30 degree at vertical direction
Hand: 1x2(L/R) DOF, 270 degree swing back and forth
Leg: 3 x DOF, Free angle
Video8.0MP HD camera
1.0MP HD color camera with 140 degree aspheric surface angle
Display10.1 inch 1080P HD capacitance 10-point touch display
PlatformROS1.1
SoundVoice control, 360 degree sound localization
2 x tweeter, 1 x Subwoofer
NetworkingWi-Fi

IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n (2.4 GHz/5 GHz)
Wireless: ZigBee

Atmosphere lamp250 kinds customized colors;
2 cycles for ears, 2 pcs for hands, and 1 cycle for chassis
Moving speedUp to 2.88km/h
GradeUp to 1.5cm (00.6inches)

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Gaskell. Adi. Robotics as a service and the future of healthcare. The Huffington Post. September 6, 2016.
  2. News: Hill. Simon. Chinese firm Qihan launches robotics-as-a-service with Sanbot. February 26, 2017. Digital Trends. September 2, 2016.
  3. News: Briand. Paul. ChartaCloud sees health care future in 'socially engaged robots'. The Portsmouth Herald. January 15, 2017.
  4. News: Shah. Saqib. Sanbot's Alexa-integrated robot can livestream, order takeout. September 1, 2017. Engadget.
  5. News: Kinney. Chance. The Qihan Sanbot Service Robot Just Got Better, Faster, and Stronger. 2017-09-18. 2017-12-23. https://web.archive.org/web/20171223061027/http://www.chipchick.com/2017/08/qihan-sanbot-king-kong.html. dead.
  6. News: Kharpal. Arjun. Meet the $2,800 Amazon Alexa-powered robot that can order you a pizza. August 31, 2017. CNBC.
  7. News: Collins. Katie. Sanbot the sassy service robot will make you smile and lend a hand. CNET. September 2, 2016.
  8. News: Excuisite. M.. Les douanes chinoises s'équipent de robots pour traquer les contrebandiers. Le Journal du Geek. October 4, 2016. French.
  9. News: QIHAN Introduces Next Generation Sanbot King Kong. Business Wire. August 23, 2017.
  10. News: Sanbot launches Nano at IFA Expo. CNBC. September 2, 2017.
  11. News: Vuong. Jeanette. I Interviewed Sanbot, the Robot from the East. Medium.com. December 29, 2016.
  12. News: Zheng. Liu. AI to spur R&D in service robot industry. China Post. October 22, 2016.
  13. Web site: Bannister. Adam. Meet Sanbot: the AI robot seeking work as a waiter, security guard or smart-home butler. IFSEC Global. February 26, 2017. September 5, 2016.
  14. News: Meet Sanbot, the Watson-Powered Droid, Here to Serve. March 31, 2017. PC Magazine.
  15. News: IBM Watson-powered QIHAN Sanbot Brings AI to Life at IBM Forum 2017. April 20, 2017. Business Wire.
  16. News: QIHAN Introduces Next Generation Sanbot King Kong. Business Wire. August 23, 2017.
  17. News: SAWERS . PAUL. Sanbot Nano is a $2,800 domestic robot powered by Amazon's Alexa. August 31, 2017. VentureBeat.