Péter Fankhauser: Meet Rezero, the dancing ballbot

譯者: Josie Chen 審譯者: Sean Chuang

Let me introduce to you Rezero.

容我為各位介紹 Rezero。

This little fellow was developed

這個小傢伙

by a group of 10 undergraduate students

是由蘇黎世聯邦理工學院

at the Autonomous Systems Laboratory

自治系統實驗室裡的

at ETH-Zurich.

十名大學生所發明出來的。

Our robot belongs to a family of robots

我們的機器人屬於機器人家族中

called Ballbots.

所謂的以球代步機器人。

Instead of wheels, a Ballbot is balancing

以球代步機器人是用一顆球來取代輪子

and moving on one single ball.

做為平衡和移動的工具。

The main characteristics of such a system is

這種系統的主要特徵是

that there's one sole contact point to the ground.

機器人和地面之間僅有一個接觸點。

This means that the robot

這意味著機器人

is inherently unstable.

本身是處於不穩定狀態的。

It's like when I am trying to stand

就好比我試著想

on one foot.

金雞獨立一樣。

You might ask yourself, what's the usefulness

各位可能會問，

of a robot that's unstable?

連站都站不穩的機器人能有什麼用呢？

Now we'll explain that in a second.

接下來我們立刻會向各位說明。

Let me first explain how Rezero

首先，讓我先向各位解釋

actually keeps his balance.

Rezero 究竟是如何維持他自身的平衡。

Rezero keeps his balance by constantly

Rezero 是利用一個感測器

measuring his pitch angle with a sensor.

不斷測量傾斜角度以保持自身平衡的。

He then counteracts and avoids toppling over

接著他再藉著運轉適當地運轉馬達

by turning the motors appropriately.

來抵消傾斜的角度以避免傾倒。

This happens 160 times per second,

這個運作過程每秒鐘內執行達 160 次之多，

and if anything fails in this process,

而假設在運作過程中出了任何差錯的話，

Rezero would immediately fall to the ground.

Rezero 就會立刻翻倒在地上。

Now to move and to balance,

為了移動和平衡，

Rezero needs to turn the ball.

Rezero 需要轉動這顆球。

The ball is driven by three special wheels

這顆球是由三個特別的輪子做為驅動，

that allow Rezero to move into any direction

使 Rerezo 得以朝任何方向行進

and also move around his own axis

並同時

at the same time.

進行自轉。

Due to his instability, Rezero is always

由於天生的不穩定性，使得 Rezero 永遠

in motion. Now here's the trick.

必須處於運動狀態。最妙的是，

It's indeed exactly this instability that allows

正是基於這種不穩定性

a robot to move very [dynamically].

才使機器人得以如此 “充滿活力“ 的運作。

Let's play a little.

我們來試試看。

You may have wondered what happens

各位可能會好奇

if I give the robot a little push.

假設我輕輕推一下這個機器人的話，會發生什麼事呢？

In this mode, he's trying to maintain

在這個模式中，他會試著去回到

his position.

他原來的位置。

For the next demo, I'd like you to introduce

為了進行下一個示範，我要向各位介紹

to my colleagues Michael, on the computer,

我的同事麥可，他會幫忙操作電腦，

and Thomas who's helping me onstage.

而湯馬斯則會在講台上幫我。

In the next mode, Rezero is passive,

在下一個模式中，Rezero 是處於被動狀態，

and we can move him around.

我們可以輕易的移動他。

With almost no force I can control

我幾乎不需要花任何力氣

his position and his velocity.

就能操控他的位置和行進速率。

I can also make him spin.

我也可以讓他旋轉。

In the next mode, we can get Rezero

在下個模式中，

to follow a person.

則可以讓 Rezero 跟著一個人移動。

He's now keeping a constant distance to Thomas.

現在他保持著一定的距離跟隨著湯馬斯。

This works with a laser sensor

這個動作是藉由安裝在

that's mounted on top of Rezero.

Rezero 頭頂的感測器來進行的。

With the same method, we can also

利用同樣的方法，

get him to circle a person.

我們也可以讓他繞著某個人轉。

We call this the orbiting mode.

我們把這稱為軌道運行模式。

All right, thank you, Thomas.

好了，謝謝你，湯馬斯。

(Applause)

（掌聲）

Now, what's the use of this technology?

好了，這種科技到底有什麼用途呢？

For now, it's an experiment, but let me

目前，這還在實驗階段，

show you some possible future applications.

但請容我為各位介紹幾個未來可能的應用範圍。

Rezero could be used in exhibitions or parks.

Rezero 可以用於展場或公園。

With a screen it could inform people or show

他可以裝上螢幕供人們查詢資訊，

them around in a fun and entertaining way.

或做為新奇有趣的導覽員之用。

In a hospital, this device could be used to

在醫院裡，這種裝置可以用來

carry around medical equipment.

運送醫療儀器。

Due to the Ballbot system, it has a very small

由於球體代步機器人的系統

footprint and it's also easy to move around.

他軌跡很小而且易於移動。

And of course, who wouldn't like

而當然，誰不想

to take a ride on one of these.

騎著他到處轉轉呢？

And these are more practical applications.

這些是屬於比較實用的範例。

But there's also a certain beauty

不過就這項科技本身而言

within this technology.

也同時也有著純粹的美感。

(Music)

（音樂）

(Applause)

（掌聲）

Thank you.

謝謝各位。

(Applause)

（掌聲）

Thank you.

謝謝。