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Meet the robot that can recognise faces
Mark Prigg, Science Correspondent29.07.08
A robotic insect that can recognise human faces and track their movements went on show today at the Science Museum.
Children are invited to interact with the Hexapod robot, which also takes pictures of visitors' faces to be uploaded onto its website.
The robot is on display until Friday in the Antenna gallery.
Museum bosses hope the Emotibot exhibit, coinciding with the release of the Disney film Wall-E, will show children that robots aren't all fictional, and increase their interest in science.
"A huge number of children will be seeing Wall-E, and it seemed interest in robots was higher than ever," said Holly Cave of the museum.
"We wanted to do something where children can get up close and interact with the robots. For most of them it will probably be the first time they've seen a robot up close. We hope the exhibit will make them think about robots, and whether or not they can really form an emotional attachment to them."
The robot, invented by animatronics expert Matt Denton, has six legs and a single camera for an eye.
It is controlled by a computer, which allows it to recognise faces. It uses its legs to turn and face the watcher, then stretches forward to zoom in on their face to take a picture.
"It's a very advanced robot and is really about showing children they can interact with robots," said Mr Denton. "It's amazing to watch their reaction, it's a 'wow' moment when it springs into life and follows them around. I worked hard to make it as natural as possible, so the hexapod sways as it moves, exactly like an animal."
The robot has had a starring role in several films - prototypes for it were used in two Harry Potter films, for Hagrid's pets. Currently Mr Denton is trying to secure funding for a larger, 2m-wide version.
Claudio Royal, eight, from London, said: "The robot was really, really cool. I liked the way it moved and followed my face, it was really funny. I also liked the way it can take pictures."
Also on display is the Heart Robot, developed by a team at the University of the West of England. The doll-like robot has sensors in its eyes that detect objects at a distance and allow it to react to people moving around or touching it. Made from polymorph plastic, it makes smooth fluid movements and features a beating heart and "breathing" belly.
