New remote control unit for MURATA BOY Introducing "Magic Stick" - a Magic Wand to Command MURATA BOY at will
Sep 23, 2008
Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
President/ Statutory Representative Director: Tsuneo Murata
Text
Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. presents a new remote control unit "Magic Stick" for MURATA BOY.
With its gyro sensor and 3-axis acceleration sensor, Magic Stick can control MURATA BOY far smoother than controlling via a PC or a cellular phone.
Magic Stick will be demonstrated at "CEATEC Japan 2008" Murata Manufacturing booth at Makuhari Messe, Chiba prefecture between September 30 and October 4.
New Product
《Magic Stick》
Purpose of Development
Wireless operation of machineries simulating smooth human motions will soon become a part of our life. High performance sensors and reliable wireless technology are essential in turning this vision into a reality.
We have developed this Magic Stick to demonstrate such possible solutions based on Murata's sensor technology.
Magic Stick is equipped with gyro sensors and a 3-axis acceleration sensor. Gyro sensors sense angular velocity while a 3-axis acceleration sensor senses the direction of slant, velocity and acceleration. Combining those features, we can sense complex human motions exactly. Furthermore, the use of Bluetooth® makes it possible to control various kinds of machineries.
The 3-axis acceleration sensor was developed by our business partner, VTI Technologies.
Functions
Magic Stick functions
- Magic Stick's built-in sensors enable detection of six different motions (rotational motions in front, back, left, right, up and down).
- Magic Stick communicates motions detected by sensors to control MURATA BOY. Analog information from the simple motions of Magic Stick is communicated directly without going through a PC, allowing MURATA BOY to move around more naturally and smoothly.
- Three operational modes are available for Magic Stick. A shock sensor detects impacts on Magic Stick to change the operational modes. Descriptions of three modes are as follows.
- Operational mode for motions with slant detection (Tip of Magic Stick turns green)
Tilting Magic Stick forward makes MURATA BOY go forward and, tilting back makes him go backward.
Tilting Magic Stick left and right turns the bicycle handle in corresponding directions. Simply point Magic Stick at the direction you wish MURATA BOY to head for, and he changes his course smoothly like a radio-controlled airplane.
- Operational mode for face motions with slant direction (Tip of Magic Stick turns blue)
MURATA BOY turns his face in the direction you point with Magic Stick. His motion will be more natural compared with the motion commanded via a PC. Formerly MURATA BOY's motion was rather mechanical like a robot, but with Magic Stick, his face moves comically like a real cat eyeing a moving toy.
- Operational mode for motions with rotation detection (Tip of Magic Stick turns red)
MURATA BOY moves back and forth at a speed corresponding with the rotation of Magic Stick.
Components included in Magic Stick
- 1...3-axis acceleration sensor
- 3...Gyro sensors
- 1...Shock sensor
- 1...Piezoelectric buzzer
- 1...Bluetooth® module
About MURATA BOY
 |
| Name |
MURATA BOY |
| Actual height |
50cm |
| Actual weight |
5kg |
| Place of birth |
Kyoto,Japan |
| Birthday |
September 29th |
| Zodiac sign |
Libra |
| Hobby |
Bicycling |
| Life goal |
Riding around the world |
| Motto |
When you fall off a bicycle, get right back on |
| URL |
http://www.murataboy.com/en/ |
|
[Main Features of MURATA BOY]
- Positioning and motion control (Can run at any speed from 0 to approximately 60cm/sec without falling)
- Free standing (Can stand still without falling)
- Obstacle detection (Detects obstacles ahead)
- Reverse run (Can run backwards)
- Automated run (Can run on a pre-determined course while detecting its own position)
- Communication (Can run or stop as it receives commands from a PC, etc.)
Image transmission (Can capture images by a camera and transmit them to PC, etc.)
[Main Murata Components Used for MURATA BOY]
- Position Detection MEMS Gyro Sensor (for navigation)
It detects the direction the robot is advancing with angular velocity. The current position can be recognized by using the distance calculated from the advancing direction and tire revolution.
- Bluetooth®Module
Communication, motion commands and voice/music/images are transmitted via short distance wireless communication modules equipped on PCs and cellular phones.
- Slant Detection Gyro Sensor
It detects the slant angle during the run. The bicycle is steered using the signal sent from the gyro sensor. By intentionally controlling the rotation of flywheel inside torso, it maintains balance without falling when stopped.
- Ultrasonic Sensor
It detects whether or not there is an obstacle ahead, and how far it is by projecting ultrasound and generating signal from the bounced wave.
- Shock Sensor for Vibration Detection
It detects vibrations from a bump on the ground or uneven surface, and converts the information to electric signal.
- General purpose components for electronic circuits
Several of Murata's general-purpose electronic components including the chip monolithic ceramic capacitor to properly supply electricity, the ceramic resonator CERALOCK® to resonate the reference signal, the NTC Thermistor to detect temperature, a trimmer potentiometer to adjust characteristics dispersion in circuits, and the EMI suppression filter EMIFIL®, etc. are used in general electric circuits.
- Transparent Ceramics (LUMICERA®) Lens
Used for the camera module installed at the head. Makes image capture and image recognition with a compact lens possible.
- Ultra-low Profile Piezoelectric Speaker
Plays voice and music transmitted from PCs and cellular phones as well as MURATA BOY's motion sound effect.
- Battery Device (lithium ion rechargeable battery) and Power Supply Module
Safe and efficient energy storage and supply, such as quick recharge and large current output are possible.
【Purpose of Development】
Various types of robots capable of performing such roles as entertainment and security have been created recently for use in our daily lives. These robots incorporate several Murata products, including capacitors that store electricity in electronic circuits, sensors that control motion, and communication modules that exchange information.
Since the robotics market is expected to experience strong growth, expansion in the demand for such electronic components is also expected.
For the purpose of introducing our excellent products and technological leadership, we used several Murata components that are geared toward the robotics market in MURATA BOY and applied the advanced control and circuit design technologies that were nurtured at the foundation of our monozukuri.
In view of Japanese children's declining interest in science, Murata has been using MURATA BOY to actively create educational opportunities at schools under the corporate theme of "promoting science education as a part of Murata's CSR activities," to demonstrate to children just how much fun science can be. Our efforts have been well received.
We intend to demonstrate our products, technological finesse, challenging spirit and teamwork to a wide range of audiences by using MURATA BOY in our publicity and advertisements, and at the same time introduce the potentials of electronics to the general public, especially children.
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