GeckoSystems International Corporation' CEO to Discuss Mobile Robot Safety Paradigm at Conference
CONYERS, GA--(Marketwire - March 14, 2011) -
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"We consider it to be a moral and ethical imperative to be investigating and discussing the impact of potentially very dangerous machines operating automatically without direct human control in environments populated by people, pets, and other live animals," remarked Martin Spencer, President/CEO, GeckoSystems. "Our tag line indicates clearly we place safety first in all our mobile service robot (MSR) solutions due to our many years of studying the impact of autonomous machines physically interacting with us, our families, and the general population of people and animals that inhabit our society and civilization."
MSR's can be very dangerous due to their size, weight, locomotion system, level of autonomy, level of situational awareness, speed, power supply, etc. Hence the discussion of level of autonomy vis a' vis level of safety vis a' vis needed level of appropriate and sufficient regulations is very timely and necessary. Imagine, if you will, the damage an electric wheelchair, electric golf cart, etc. can inflict on humans, their pets and/or surroundings.
Some of the large walking robots in Japan weigh 200-300+ pounds. When powered off, -- whether deliberately, accidentally, or due to power depletion -- they fall down "rag doll" like due to no power to keep them standing. A 300-400 pound tele-operated MSR is actually more dangerous than a semi- or low-level autonomous MSR due to potentially poor, inattentive operator control. For example, a 250+ pound electric wheelchair can cause significant damage to persons, animals and its environment due to its weight, power, and speed. (This has given cause for GeckoSystems to be developing a "collision proof" upgrade kit for joystick controlled wheelchairs.)
Software attributes will be discussed ranging from simple obstacle avoidance to AI enabled self-navigation. Simple obstacle avoidance includes: Low Level, Reactive (LLR), Mid Level, Proactive (MLP) and High Level, Contemplative (HLC) behaviors. AI Self Guidance (AISG) Eg. errand running, patrolling, seeking, finding, following, pursuing, includes Loose Crowd Capable (LCC) and Wide Receiver Capable (WRC) behaviors. The level of situational awareness of an MSR also dramatically influences the level of safety that which a particular MSR is capable.
Late last year the Japanese government representatives stated:
"We are very impressed (with) your effort to spread robot technology to the field, especially for the elderly care, showing on your website. Communication between CareBot and elderly was fascinating in the real caring field. In Japan, we are trying to establish the legal issues for developing and spreading elder care robot technologies to such areas. ...By doing this we would expect to open up the way to develop and establish Japanese standards and legal systems for personal robot providers," stated Dr. Kentaro Kotani, Professor, Kansai University, representing the Japanese government's New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO). Dr. Kotani is also a member of the Project Steering Committee under the management of the Japan Automobile Research Institute.
Accompanying Dr. Kotani at the December mobile robot safety summit was Dr. Masahiro Kato, General Manager, Department of Robot Technology Promotion, Manufacturing Science and Technology Center (MSTC). Dr. Kato was intimately involved in Hitachi's personal robot R&D for many years.
Drs. Kotani and Kato are master roboticists due to their formal, advanced educations and many years of significant involvement in Japanese mobile robot R&D. Their senior roles within their respective organizations substantiate they are within the inner circle of Japanese robot industry strategic planning and decision making officials.
"We were pleased and honored to have met with these senior Japanese government representatives to discuss many areas of mutual interest. As far as I know there are no specific laws for utilization of personal robot in Japan at this time. Drs. Kato and Kotani and their sponsors, including NEDO, have started the research toward the new law. This is Agency under Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), like JETRO. It seems METI has now realized that it is very important to prepare the specific Law(s) for the personal robots to be used widely in the aging society, and had NEDO to take up this project. NEDO assigned the project to a foundation called Manufacturing Science and Technology Center (MSTC). Dr. Kotani is sponsored by this organization," stated Mr. Hajime Yasumatsu, Chairman, Yasu, Inc.
"It was a very insightful summit last December with this Japanese delegation. During our upcoming conference, I am very much looking forward to presenting and discussing the many aspects of insuring that the coming incorporation of mobile service robots into our everyday lives, whether at home, play, or at work will be safe and successful. Our leadership role in mobile robot solutions is not limited to simply technology and business, but the most important aspect of all, safety. We believe that our nearly 1400 investors are concerned with safety so our products will be perceived by their users as safe, secure, and the service, cost effective, such that they will be readily purchased," concluded Spencer.
Journalists are encouraged to contact GeckoSystems regarding the progress of GeckoSystems and potential attendance at the upcoming GeckoSystems' invitation only "Mobile Robots in Motion" conference. Journalists and other interested parties may submit their request for an invitation to info@geckosystems.com or call 678-413-9236. Space is limited, so please inquire soon.
About Dr. Kentaro Kotani:
Dr. Kotani is a researcher in the field of human-machine interaction. He is a member of the Investigation Committee for Personal Robot Law and Systems, commissioned by Japanese independent administrative institution to investigate desirable safe technology, laws, international standards and social system in Japan. He works for MSTC (Manufacturing Science and Technology Center) to which NEDO assigned the project.
Professor Kentaro Kotani, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Faculty of Engineering Science, Kansai University 3-3-35,
Yamate-cho, Suita, OSAKA 564-8680, JAPAN
Tel (+81)6-6368-1121, ext.5596,
Fax (+81)6-6388-8785,
http://w3hfe.iecs.kansai-u.ac.jp/kotani/kotani1.html
About Dr. Masahiro Kato:
Masahiro Kato, Ph.D.
General Manager
Department of Robot Technology Promotion,
Manufacturing Science and Technology Center
1989 MS, Electrical Engineering, Seikei University
2001 Dr. Eng., Mechanical Engineering, Waseda University
Research Background:
1989-2001 Hitachi, Ltd., Mechanical Engineering Research Laboratory, Researcher
2002-2008 Hitachi, Ltd., Central Research Laboratory, Researcher
2009-2011 Manufacturing Science and Technology Center (MSTC), Manager
For more information: http://www.meti.go.jp/english/aboutmeti/policy/2011policies.pdf
About New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO):
As Japan's largest public management organization promoting research and development, NEDO has a crucial mission to carry out.
Message from their Chairman, Mr. Seiji Murata:
"International competition in the field of research and development of advanced technology has increased considerably in recent years, and in order for Japan to secure and strengthen its industrial competitiveness in such a challenging environment, it is essential that the nation's research and development activities are promoted more strategically than ever before.
"As part of this endeavor, a number of important issues need to be addressed. For example, research activities must be organized and carried out so as to foster innovation, and suitable strategies having specific technology development targets must be promoted to enhance Japan's industrial competitiveness. An institutional framework that enables frontrunners to overcome obstacles hindering technological innovation must be supported as well. It is also necessary to promote commercialization of research results, develop strategies to secure intellectual property rights, and establish practical technology management policies. All of these as well as other issues need to be responsibly dealt with in a timely and appropriate manner.
"Since its establishment in 1980, and especially after its reorganization as an incorporated administrative agency in October 2003, NEDO has played a unique role in the field of technology development. As Japan's largest public research and development management organization, we will endeavor to more effectively promote advanced technology that will enhance Japan's industrial competitiveness and resolve energy and global environmental issues.
"After analyzing the latest domestic and international technology and market trends, NEDO selects and focuses on truly necessary projects by identifying the clear purpose and expected outcomes of the research. It strategically and intensively promotes research and development, leveraging the collective efforts of the industrial, academic and governmental sectors with the aim of achieving each project's research objectives.
"NEDO performs objective evaluations based on the latest technological and commercial trends, and thus is able to quickly revise the plan for a project, including acceleration, expansion, downsizing and termination."
NEDO performs objective evaluations based on the latest technological and commercial trends, and thus is able to quickly revise the plan for a project, including acceleration, expansion, downsizing and termination.
For more information:
http://www.nedo.go.jp/english/introducing/index.html
About Yasu, Inc.:
Yasu is a U.S. corporation domiciled in Missouri that provides professional services including business development support, networking events, extensive market intelligence, access to bilingual Japanese businesses, and English to Japanese translation of sales and technical information.
About GeckoSystems International Corporation:
About the CareBot:
GeckoSystems has focused on mobile robot safety for over thirteen years. Their first product, a family care robot, has multiple layers of safety precautions. These safeguards are enabled three ways: mechanical, electronic, and using AI computer software. First, the robot is very stable and difficult to tip over since nearly seventy percent of its weight is less than eight inches above the floor and sits low between large, ten-inch diameter wheels. The wheels are wide and soft enough such that if the robot did go over a child's arm, for example, it would not break the skin or any bones. Second, multiple layers of sensors are fused to provide a safety umbrella to enable actionable situational awareness. Going outward from the center of the CareBot is the GeckoTactileShroud™, which detects where on its shroud it has been bumped by people or animals. The GeckoImager™ detects virtually everything in the front and to the sides of this fully autonomous mobile robot up to sixty inches. Obstacles more distant are detected by twin ultrasonic rangefinders. Third, the advanced AI navigation software, GeckoNav™, takes in the hundreds of sensor readings per second and using its high level situational awareness, consistently avoids unforeseen static and/or dynamic obstacles for safe movements.
Like an automobile, the CareBot is made from steel, aluminum, plastic, and electronics, but with ten to twenty times the amount of software running. It has an aluminum frame, plastic shroud, two independently driven wheels, multiple sensor systems, microprocessors and several onboard computers connected by a local area network (LAN). The microprocessors directly interact with the sensor systems and transmit data to the onboard computers. The onboard computers each run independent, highly specialized cooperative/subsumptive artificial intelligence (AI) software programs, GeckoSavants, which interact to complete tasks in a timely, intelligent and common sense manner. GeckoSuper, GeckoNav, GeckoChat, GeckoScheduler and GeckoTrak are primary, high level GeckoSavants. GeckoNav is responsible for maneuvering, avoiding dynamic and/or static obstacles, seeking waypoints and patrolling. GeckoChat is responsible for interaction with the care-receiver such as answering questions, assisting with daily routines and reminders, and responding to other verbal commands. GeckoTrak, which is mostly transparent to the user, enables the CareBot to maintain proximity to the care-receiver using sensor fusion. The CareBot is a new type of Internet appliance, a personal assistant life support robot, which is accessible for remote video/audio monitoring and telepresence.
About the Company:
Since 1997, GeckoSystems has developed a comprehensive, coherent, and sufficient suite of hardware and software inventions to enable a new type of home appliance (a personal companion robot) the CareBot™, to be created for the mass consumer marketplace. The suite of primary inventions includes: GeckoNav™, GeckoChat™ and GeckoTrak™.
The primary market for this product is the family for use in eldercare, care for the chronically ill, and childcare. The primary distribution channel for this new home appliance is the thousands of independent personal computer retailers in the U.S. The manufacturing infrastructure for this new product category of mobile service robots is essentially the same as the personal computer industry. Several outside contract manufacturers have been identified and qualified their ability to produce up to 1,000 CareBots per month within four to six months.
The Company is market driven. At the time of founding, nearly 12 years ago, the Company did extensive primary market research to determine the demographic profile of the early adopters of the then proposed product line. Subsequent to, and based on that original market research, they have assembled numerous focus groups to evaluate the fit of the CareBot personal robot into the participant's lives and their expected usage. The Company has also frequently employed the Delphi market research methodology by contacting and interviewing senior executives, practitioners, and researchers knowledgeable in the area of elder care. Using this factual basis of internally performed primary and secondary market research, and third party research is the statistical substance for the Company's sales forecasts.
Not surprisingly the scientific statistical analyses applied revealed that elderly over sixty-five living alone in metropolitan areas with broadband Internet available and sufficient household incomes to support the increased costs were identified as those most likely to adopt initially. Due to the high cost of assisted living, nursing homes, etc. the payback for a CareBot™ is expected to be only six to eight months while keeping elderly care receivers independent, in their own long time homes, and living longer due to the comfort and safety of more frequent attention from their loved ones.
The Company's "mobile robot solutions for safety, security and service™" are appropriate not only for the consumer, but also professional healthcare, commercial security and defense markets. Professional healthcare require cost effective, timely errand running, portable telemedicine, etc. Homeland Security requires cost effective mobile robots to patrol and monitor public venues for weapons and WMD detection. Military users desire the elimination of the "man in the loop" to enable unmanned ground and air vehicles to not require constant human control and/or intervention.
The Company's business model is very much like that of an automobile manufacturer. Due to the final assembly, test, and shipping being done based on geographic and logistic realities; strategic business-to-business relationships can range from private labeling to joint manufacturing and distribution to licensing only.
Several dozen patent opportunities exist for the Company due to the many innovative and cost effective breakthroughs embodied not only in GeckoNav, GeckoChat, and GeckoTrak, but also in additional, secondary systems that include: GeckoOrient™, GeckoMotorController™, the GeckoTactileShroud™, the GeckoImager™, and the GeckoSPIO™.
What Does a CareBot Do for the Care Giver?
The short answer is that it decreases the difficulty and stress for the caregiver that needs to watch over Grandma, Mom, or other family members most, if not much, of the time day in and day out due to concerns about their well being, safety, and security.
But, first let's look at some other labor saving, automatic home appliances most of us use routinely. For example, needing to do two or more necessary chores and/or activities at the same time, like laundering clothes and preparing supper.
The automatic washing machine needs no human intervention after the dirty clothes are placed in the washer, the laundry powder poured in, and the desired wash cycle set. Then, this labor saving appliance runs automatically until the washed clothes are ready to be placed in another labor saving home appliance, the automatic clothes dryer. While the clothes are being washed and/or dried, the caregiver prepares supper using several time saving home appliances like the microwave oven, "crock" pot, blender, and conventional stove, with possible convection oven capabilities.
After supper, the dirty pots, pans, and dishes are placed in the automatic dishwasher to be washed and dried while the family retires to the den to watch TV, and/or the kids to do homework. Later, perhaps after the kids have gone to bed, the caregiver may then have the time to fold, sort, and put up the now freshly laundered clothes.
So what does a CareBot do for the caregiver? It is a new type of labor saving, time management automatic home appliance.
For example, the care giver frequently feels time stress when they need to go shopping for 2 or 3 hours, and are uncomfortable when they have to be away for more than an hour or so. Time stress is much worse for the caregiver with a frail elderly parent that must be reminded to take medications at certain times of the day. How can the caregiver be away for 3-4 hours when Grandma must take her prescribed medication every 2 or 3 hours? If the caregiver is trapped in traffic for an hour or two beyond the 2 or 3 they expected to be gone, this "time stress" can be very difficult for the caregiver to moderate.
Not infrequently, the primary caregiver has a 24 hour, 7 days a week responsibility. After weeks and weeks of this sometimes tedious, if not onerous routine, how does the caregiver get a "day off?" To bring in an outsider is expensive (easily $75-125 per day for just 8 hours) and there is the concern that medication will be missed or the care receiver have an accident requiring immediate assistance by the caregiver, or someone they must designate. And the care receiver may be very resistant to a "stranger" coming in to her home and "running things."
So what is it worth for a care receiver to have an automatic system to help take care of Grandma? Just 3 or 4 days a month "off" on a daylong shopping trip, a visit with friends, or just take in a movie would cost $225-500 per month. And that scenario assumes that Grandma is willing to be taken care of by a "stranger" during those needed and appropriate days off.
So perhaps, an automatic caregiver, a CareBot, might be pretty handy, and potentially very cost effective from the primary caregiver's perspective.
What Does a CareBot Do for the Care Receiver?
It's a new kind of companion that always stays close to them enabling family and friends to care for them from afar. It tells them jokes, retells family anecdotes, reminds them to take medication, reminds them that family is coming over soon (or not at all), recites Bible verses, plays favorite songs and/or other music. It alerts them when unexpected visitors, or intruders are present. It notifies designated caregivers when a potentially harmful event has occurred, such as a fall, fire in the home, or simply been not found by the CareBot for too long. It responds to calls for help and notifies those that the caregiver determined should be immediately notified when any predetermined adverse event occurs.
The family can customize the personality of the CareBot. The voice's cadence can be fast or slow. The intonation can be breathy, or abrupt. The voice's volume can range from very loud to very soft. The response phrases from the CareBot for recognized words and phrases can be colloquial and/or unique to the family's own heritage. The personality can range from brassy to timid depending on how the care giver, and others appropriate, chooses it to be.
Generally, the care receiver is pleased at the prospect of family being able to drop in for a "virtual visit" using the onboard webcam and video monitor for at home "video conferencing." The care receiver may feel much more needed and appreciated when their far flung family and friends can "look in" on them any where in the world where they can get broadband internet access and simply chat for a bit.
Why is Grandma really interested in a CareBot? She wants to stay in her home, or her family's home, as long as she possibly can. What's that worth? Priceless. Or, an average nursing home is $5,000 per month for an environment that is too often the beginning of a spiral downward in the care receiver's health. That's probably $2-3K more per month for them to be placed where they really don't want to be. Financial payback on a CareBot? Less than a year- Emotional payback for the family to have this new automatic care giver? Nearly instantaneous-
Safe Harbor:
Statements regarding financial matters in this press release other than historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company intends that such statements about the Company's future expectations, including future revenues and earnings, technology efficacy and all other forward-looking statements be subject to the Safe Harbors created thereby. The Company is a development stage firm that continues to be dependent upon outside capital to sustain its existence. Since these statements (future operational results and sales) involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time, the Company's actual results may differ materially from expected results.
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=140182685996116&v=wall
YouTube:
Kinect Enabled Personal Robot video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kn93BS44Das
In this video one will observe static and dynamic obstacle avoidance into and back out of a cluttered and narrow "gauntlet alley." One may determine that the movements are smoother than what most people could do using a joystick, human controlled mobile platform. One will witness three low levels of obstacle avoidance: reactive, proactive, and contemplative. No prior mapping or path planning was performed before or during the demonstration run. GeckoNav, the AI savant doing the guiding, controls all mobile activities during this demo. You will witness subsumptive AI behaviors occurring as obstacle avoidance subsumes way point seek and vice versa with an emergent behavior expressed as errand running down a cluttered hallway and back without any human intervention.
Elder Care Robot Trial Video 2, Stationary View
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smUNls4LJtY&feature=player_embedded#at=16
One CareBot™ One Family
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxK46chfP6A&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL
Mobile Robot Navigates Dining Room & Kitchen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_jd9_0W9mE&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL
GeckoSystems Intl. Corp.
Telephone:
Main number: 1-866-CAREBOT (227-3268)
International: +1 678-413-9236
Fax: +1 678-413-9247