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NAO Next Gen: Aldebaran Robotics Launches a new Generation of its Humanoid Robot
PARIS, December 9, 2011/PRNewswire/ --
Aldebaran Robotics, the world leader in humanoid robotics, has released its latest
version of the NAO robot - NAO Next Gen. The power of NAO Next Gen, the new fully
programmable humanoid robot that has the most extensive worldwide use, is opening up new
perspectives and fields of application for its users.
"The inception of this new generation of NAO robots means a lot to our company. We are
proud to be in a position to provide our customers with endless options, whatever their
sector. With NAO Next Gen [http://www.aldebaran-robotics.com ] coming of age, we shall be
able to make it serve organisations that care for autistic children and those losing their
autonomy. I created Aldebaran Robotics in 2005 with this aim: to contribute to humankind's
well-being," states Bruno Maisonnier, Founder and Chairman of Aldebaran Robotics.
See pictures: http://www.aldebaran-robotics.com/en/Pressroom/Photography/nao.html
Three years after it started selling its first NAO models, the company has sold 2,000
robots worldwide. Aldebaran Robotics has now released the latest generation of its
programmable humanoid robots, which is intended for research, teaching and, more
generally, for exploring the new area of service robotics.
Stemming from six years of research and dialogue with its community of researchers and
users, NAO Next Gen is capable of a higher level of interaction, thanks to increased
computing power, improved stability and higher accuracy. Therefore, the latest version of
the NAO robot widens considerably the range of research, teaching and application
possibilities made available to specific user groups.
One of the NAO Next Gen's novel and most remarkable features is the fact that it is
fitted with a new on-board computer, based on the powerful 1.6GHz Intel(R) Atom[TM]
processor, which is suitable for multi-tasking calculations. It also has two HD cameras
that are attached to a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). This set-up allows the
simultaneous reception of two video streams, significantly increasing speed and
performance in face-and-object recognition, even under poor-lighting conditions.
As well as its innovative features with respect to hardware, NAO Next Gen boasts a
new, faster and more reliable vocal-recognition programme called Nuance. This programme is
coupled with a new functionality known as 'word spotting', which is capable of isolating
and recognizing a specific word within a sentence or a conversation.
"On top of this new hardware version, we shall be delivering new software
functionalities like smart torque control, a system to prevent limb/body collisions, an
improved walking algorithm, and more. We have capitalised upon our experience and customer
feedback in order to deliver the most suitable and efficient platform. In terms of
applications especially at high-school level, we are focused on educational content,
while, when it comes to improvements in personal well-being, we are working on developing
specialized applications," explains Bruno Maisonnier.
"We are also pursuing our goal to provide a NAO intended for individuals through the
Developer Program - a community of programmers who are working with us today to invent
tomorrow's personal robotics," adds the chairman of Aldebaran Robotics.
About Aldebaran Robotics
Founded in 2005 by Bruno Maisonnier and with offices in France, China, Japan and the
United States, ALDEBARAN Robotics designs, produces and commercialises autonomous humanoid
robots with the aim of contributing to the well-being of humans. Today over 2,000 NAOs are
in use throughout the world as research and educational tools in 45 countries. ALDEBARAN
Robotics brings together more than 150 stuff, including 60 engineers and PhDs, who are
involved in the development and production of the robots.
For further information, visit: http://www.aldebaran-robotics.com
Source: Aldebaran Robotics
Press contact : Oana Dorita, odorita@aldebaran-robotics.com , +33-177-371-797
NAO Next Gen: Aldebaran Robotics Launches a new Generation of its Humanoid Robot
PARIS, December 9, 2011/PRNewswire/ --
Aldebaran Robotics, the world leader in humanoid robotics, has released its latest
version of the NAO robot - NAO Next Gen. The power of NAO Next Gen, the new fully
programmable humanoid robot that has the most extensive worldwide use, is opening up new
perspectives and fields of application for its users.
"The inception of this new generation of NAO robots means a lot to our company. We are
proud to be in a position to provide our customers with endless options, whatever their
sector. With NAO Next Gen [http://www.aldebaran-robotics.com ] coming of age, we shall be
able to make it serve organisations that care for autistic children and those losing their
autonomy. I created Aldebaran Robotics in 2005 with this aim: to contribute to humankind's
well-being," states Bruno Maisonnier, Founder and Chairman of Aldebaran Robotics.
See pictures: http://www.aldebaran-robotics.com/en/Pressroom/Photography/nao.html
Three years after it started selling its first NAO models, the company has sold 2,000
robots worldwide. Aldebaran Robotics has now released the latest generation of its
programmable humanoid robots, which is intended for research, teaching and, more
generally, for exploring the new area of service robotics.
Stemming from six years of research and dialogue with its community of researchers and
users, NAO Next Gen is capable of a higher level of interaction, thanks to increased
computing power, improved stability and higher accuracy. Therefore, the latest version of
the NAO robot widens considerably the range of research, teaching and application
possibilities made available to specific user groups.
One of the NAO Next Gen's novel and most remarkable features is the fact that it is
fitted with a new on-board computer, based on the powerful 1.6GHz Intel(R) Atom[TM]
processor, which is suitable for multi-tasking calculations. It also has two HD cameras
that are attached to a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). This set-up allows the
simultaneous reception of two video streams, significantly increasing speed and
performance in face-and-object recognition, even under poor-lighting conditions.
As well as its innovative features with respect to hardware, NAO Next Gen boasts a
new, faster and more reliable vocal-recognition programme called Nuance. This programme is
coupled with a new functionality known as 'word spotting', which is capable of isolating
and recognizing a specific word within a sentence or a conversation.
"On top of this new hardware version, we shall be delivering new software
functionalities like smart torque control, a system to prevent limb/body collisions, an
improved walking algorithm, and more. We have capitalised upon our experience and customer
feedback in order to deliver the most suitable and efficient platform. In terms of
applications especially at high-school level, we are focused on educational content,
while, when it comes to improvements in personal well-being, we are working on developing
specialized applications," explains Bruno Maisonnier.
"We are also pursuing our goal to provide a NAO intended for individuals through the
Developer Program - a community of programmers who are working with us today to invent
tomorrow's personal robotics," adds the chairman of Aldebaran Robotics.
About Aldebaran Robotics
Founded in 2005 by Bruno Maisonnier and with offices in France, China, Japan and the
United States, ALDEBARAN Robotics designs, produces and commercialises autonomous humanoid
robots with the aim of contributing to the well-being of humans. Today over 2,000 NAOs are
in use throughout the world as research and educational tools in 45 countries. ALDEBARAN
Robotics brings together more than 150 stuff, including 60 engineers and PhDs, who are
involved in the development and production of the robots.
For further information, visit: http://www.aldebaran-robotics.com
Source: Aldebaran Robotics
Press contact : Oana Dorita, odorita@aldebaran-robotics.com , +33-177-371-797