Hi All
Introducing the AIMEC:EZ1
We are in discussions with DJ to produce a special version of our AIMEC (Artificially Intelligent Mechanical Electronic Companion) robot for the EZ-B, this will be a very advanced robot that will be made available in kit form, which will probably be by the end of this year.
Some history, the first AMI (Applied Machine Intelligence) robot was the AIMEC:3 which is a "hyper-tech" toy and we were very close to licensing this design to a large US toy manufacturer, but the deal fell through. Our most advanced robot is the AIMEC:4 which is still in development, this robot has advanced voice recognition (Dragon 11), face recognition and eye tracking and object recognition the robot has an advanced Ai core and is capable of self learning. When we came across the fantastic EZ-B system that the genius DJ Sures produced we immediately thought that it would be really cool to make a EZ-B version and this is what we are currently developing the AIMEC:EZ1. This robot is the development platform for a ground breaking robotics kit that we plan to sell to the general public, for the first time a highly advanced robot will be available (in various versions) at a price that hobbyists would be able to afford.
I have been building robots for over 30 years and some of my designs are recorded on Cybernetic Zoo
http://cyberneticzoo.com/?p=2280
http://cyberneticzoo.com/?p=3984
On our team we have the brilliant model maker (and engineer) Steve Cole (Articole Studios) http://www.articolestudios.co.uk/ who is also a member of this forum @ukrobotman, with Alex Cole on 3D design and (the incredibly talented) Mike Hodgson on software development. I am doing mechanical, electronics and sensor designs and firmware development for support PIC microcontrollers that enhance the EZ-B boards operation over the I2C bus.
We are all looking forward to working closely with DJ and his team in the new future!
Tony
-- Conceptioneering Ltd - Inventors of the Award Winning Cube World To see Product Innovation - visit our website at www.conceptioneering.co.uk To see Robotic Innovation - visit our website at www.appliedmachineintelligence.co.uk
Thanks Mel!
@PJ Thanks also, I do not mean to tease here, I think this is such a good community that I want to share the EZ:1 and EZ:2 development phases with you all. I also greatly welcome any feedback as this helps to produce a better end product.
I for one really appreciate your hard works and contribution to our wonderful community. I had this idea for about three years, but lack the expertise to fabricate such an awesome device. Since it will communicate with X10 devices, any chance on pushing it a little further to communicate with Z waves devices
Tony, Thank you for sharing the development phase updates. I just can't wait till next year to realize all the great features that will be utilized with the AIMEC EZ:1 and EZ:2 robots! Will the EZ:2 be the more advanced option similar to the AIMEC 4? I always look forward to any new information on the AIMEC EZ Robots. Keep it coming. Steve S
PJ I will look into supporting Z wave devices.
Steve The AIMEC:4 robot is quite different as it is a self contained robot with on robot main processing, it has 2 Fit (micro) PCs that handle speech, face and object recognition and also the Ai core. My vision for the AIMEC:4 is to be a ready made "off the shelf" personal robot that people can purchase and operate without having to have any programming skills. The EZ:1 (development robot) and the EZ:2 (commercial robot) will be pretty advanced with face recognition and a plug-in to our Ai core which is self learning and has a neat conversation engine. Object recognition will also be added later.
More development updates. Below is the 3 fingered hand of the EZ:1 robot, note the micro (digital) optical ranger in the center, this triggers when anyone puts an object in front of the hand.
Here is the EZ:1 5 DOF arm showing the wiring loom.
"Drool" that awesome especially with the EZ-B. You figure it'll be ready this winter?
@Rural
There is still a lot to be done, but we hope to be in beta testing (at least 5 EZ:2 units) by the end of the year. The EZ:2 which is the commercial version of this robot has its body now fully designed and we are currently getting in costings on the body shell and tooling. The EZ:2 looks totally different to the EZ:1. DJ and team have seen the EZ:2 and seem to like the design.
I'll be a beta tester for you.
That sounds great can't wait to get one myself.