Philips' iCat has 13 electric motors that move the eyes, eyebrows, eyelids, mouth and head to produce various emotional responses. So now you can have an anthropomorphic cat that won't smell or rub up against your leg.
The iCat Research Platform is a research platform for studying human-robot interaction. It consists of a user-interface robot called iCat, the Open Platform for Personal Robotics ('OPPR') software, and this website for supporting an iCat Research Community.
Catty Robots
Philips' iCat Reacts to Human Interaction
Trend Themes
1. Human-robot Interaction - The trend of developing robots that can interact with humans in a more realistic and emotional way, like Philips' iCat, presents opportunities for creating more engaging and lifelike robotic companions or customer service assistants.
2. Anthropomorphic Robots - The trend of creating robots with human-like features and expressions, such as iCat's moving eyes, eyebrows, and mouth, opens up possibilities for applications in entertainment, therapy, and social interactions.
3. Personal Robotics - The trend of advancing personal robotics, exemplified by the iCat Research Platform, creates potential for developing customized robots that assist individuals in various tasks and provide companionship.
Industry Implications
1. Robotics - The robotics industry can explore disruptive innovation opportunities by focusing on developing more advanced robots for human-robot interaction and personal use.
2. Entertainment - The entertainment industry can leverage the trend of anthropomorphic robots to create interactive and engaging experiences for consumers, such as robot performers or companions in theme parks, movies, or virtual reality games.
3. Customer Service - The customer service industry can benefit from the trend of human-robot interaction by incorporating more lifelike and emotionally responsive robots in service roles, enhancing customer experience and efficiency.