Japanese BeatBots are one of the latest viral sensations. In less than a month, nearly a million viewers have watched this odd little robot dance on YouTube.
This dacing robot was created by the researchers, Marek Michalowski and Hideki Kozima whose long term goal was to develop develop robots with the sensitivity to synchronize their behavior with human emotions and responses but facilitate comfortable robot/human interactions. They are currently studying and developing dance-oriented nonverbal play between children and robots.
The robot can perform emotional interaction with children with its two eye cameras and nose-mounted microphone.
BeatBots
Socially Rhythmic Robots Dance to the Beat
Trend Themes
1. Socially Rhythmic Robots - Opportunity for creating robots that can synchronize their behavior with human emotions and facilitate comfortable robot/human interactions.
2. Viral Sensations - Opportunity for businesses to create products or content that quickly gain widespread attention and popularity.
3. Nonverbal Play Between Children and Robots - Opportunity for developing interactive experiences that promote emotional interaction between children and robots.
Industry Implications
1. Robotics - Opportunity for robotics companies to create socially interactive robots that can engage with humans on an emotional level.
2. Entertainment - Opportunity for entertainment companies to create captivating and viral content featuring robots.
3. Childcare - Opportunity for childcare companies to incorporate robots into nonverbal play experiences for children.