Rumi from LuvBotics: adorable, but is it real?

[Alan Timm]

https://luvbotics.com/robot_companion/

the only video I could find

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1mFpUKxiQc

Unnamed source is claiming that it's $1000-$1400.

I can't figure out how they think they can arrange the hip actuators to look like that, and fit the actuators into the leg, hip and torso shells.

And although they clearly have a 1dof ankle, the cgi animations show the foot adjust like a 2dof unit...  hmmm...

Probably a scam and/or vaporware but...

I like how it looks.

I might recreate it and run it to simulation just to see how a bot in this configuration could walk.

In theory it should be able to walk, but the required weight shifting should give it a very different gait to what they're showing in their "video".

[Chris Albertson]

I think it is a 2-DOF ankle.  The left-right movement might be passive.    I see the round disk that is an obvious joint, but the disk has a little  clearance relative to the foot.

I am also wondering how they fit the actuators in there, but as you reduce the height of a humanoid, you dramatically reduce the power requirements at each joint.  I think power is proportional to the 3rd power of the height.

What I don’t understand is how it is dynamically stable.  The stance is so wide it would have to rock sideways to walk.

In any case, the ankles are 20DOF but with very limited range on the left-right axis and likely not powered.

Also, the video is edited.   We only see closeups of upper body movements, and I would not be surprised if the feet were secured to the floor while the robot played back pre-recorded motion.     I also doubt the $1,400 price.

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[Sergei Grichine]

I hope they will have good warranty, support and can fully backup the robot's brain. Forever.

Just imagine the owner's emotional damage if this thing brakes and it's personality cannot be restored or cloned to a new working body. It beats losing a computer, dog or cat.

Model obsolescence becomes an interesting concept also. How do you tell 10,000 loving "parents" that EOL date is coming?

Best Regards, 
-- Sergei
   

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[Alan Timm]

Speaking as someone that had several Aibos, and know people that still have their Jibos and Cozmos, I wholeheartedly agree.

[Chris Albertson]

Sergei,

I think you discovered their business model.  Those problems are not problems; they are sales opportunities.  If people get attached to this robot, then you tell them:

1. It would be a shame if this robot lost all its memory. You can subscribe to our cloud backup service for only $40 per month.
2. EOL is coming soon for robot version 1, but you, our loyal parents, can preorder version 2 for only $2,500, and you can seamlessly transfer all memory backed up in our cloud server to the new robot.

Seriously, robots will have to perform some actually useful task before people will spend money.  OK, maybe a very few will buy one or “pet” like this one.   But to become mainstream, the robot has to earn its purchase price back.       Vacuum cleaners were the low-hanging fruit, and the next task is way higher.

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[Sergei Grichine]

Chris, -  think I discovered a pending class action lawsuit, all credit for discovering their business model is yours. A good catch!

I would disagree with you on the size of their market though. With proper marketing every lonely cat lady and childless couple (including empty nesters, retirees with grown up kids) would like to have one. Companionship is a highly priced commodity nowadays.

Robots have huge advantage over living beings - they come with an off switch. No need to be around while on vacation or in a hospital.

But - I think ultimately lawyers will eat their lunch, even if they do most things right.

Best Regards, 
-- Sergei
   

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