Students build humanoid robot with a ‘beating heart’ from junkyard parts
It's amazing what people can achieve when they put their mind to something.
Five students and professors at the Krishna Institute of Engineering and Technology (KIET) in India have developed a low-cost humanoid robot named Anushka.
Built using many parts salvaged from a dump yard, Anushka is reportedly inspired by Vedic principles and claims to be the first to feature a beating heart.
The creators claim that the robot only costs around $2,400, which is quite affordable when you compare it to other models on the market.
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Currently, Anushka’s role is to greet guests and answer queries, providing information much like a receptionist.
A similar concept has been explored in a Japanese hotel that is completely operated by AI.
However, the team behind Anushka plans to extend its functions into areas like healthcare and consulting services.
Despite its low budget, Anushka is presented remarkably well.
Her facial features are a mix of advanced technology and artistry, with 3D-printed parts and a flexible silicone skin crafted by the Madame Tussauds team in India, according to PC Tablet.
Interestingly, her face design is inspired by a historical French princess and enhanced with generative AI.
Anushka's movements are controlled by an Intel i7 processor, which acts as the brain. This control centre manages the microcontrollers and servo motors to enable fluid movements and smooth motion of her hands, neck, jaw and eyes.
For communication, Anushka uses natural language processing (NLP) to understand and respond to voice commands.
These voice commands are transformed into digital signals and processed using Python and then her responses are drawn from an extensive OpenAI database.
Anushka can impressively interact with users in 61 languages and perform 50 hand gestures, as well as over 30 eye gestures to convey emotions.
As her responses are based on OpenAI's library, Anushka is programmed with an optimistic outlook on topics like war.
But it's not just talking she does. Anushka is equipped with facial recognition and computer vision, so her capabilities extend into listening, understanding, communicating and movement coordination.
'There are four stages of artificial intelligence at work here,' the team explained to Indian Express.
'One is when she listens to you, another is when she watches and understands your image via computer vision, the third is when she uses natural language processing to communicate with you, and the final stage commands the servo motors to work in sync.
'Each level of intelligence is pivotal as together, they ensure that everything functions smoothly.'
Furthermore, Anushka can notify her handlers of issues like low battery or malfunctions by making phone calls or sending text messages.