Custom Entertainment Solutions (CES) has launched a new animatronic head that closely resembles a human head.
Mecha ToMoMi Head
They have named the robot as MechaToMoMi Head; she was recently displayed at the Technion Institution of Technology, Israel. The animatronic head lays the foundation for many future research activities around human/machine interfaces and computer vision. She comes equipped with a variety of features that would help in the development of new robotic ideas.
The head is capable of moving each of its eyes independently; the eyes are made up of a CMOS- based super-micro colour video camera. With this set up, the scientists are able to delve deeper into the study of stereoscopic vision. The eyes are not aligned in the same direction, this helps in focussing on objects in front of the head. MechaToMoMi head has the ability to emote using the 19 degrees of facial movement, which behave in a similar way as the human facial muscles. Expressions such as happiness, confusion and anger are some of the emotions that she is capable of showing on her face. The facial skin is made up of hybrid silicone skin, which looks smooth and natural.
The robotic developments at CES are not only for entertainment purposes, but also useful in scientific research. Their aim is to popularize the robotic products among universities to include them in their technological programs.