Manbots are 3D-printed humanoid robots used in the care of disadvantaged people and in psychological support to people unable to move for health reasons.
Unlike other existing robots, Manbots are designed to be printed in 3D, allowing production on the model of the widespread factory. This system makes it possible to customize machines with different dimensions, physical characteristics related to ethnicity, insertion of dedicated sensors.
All models are made to resemble as much as possible a real human being, distinguishing themselves from competitors by the use of a realistic latex mask and a wig. This feature allows us to work on facial expressions to improve the user’s empathy with the instrument, guaranteeing a better experience.
Scientific documentation behind the Manbot project
The anthropomorphism of robots
- Aaron Powers, Sara Kiesler, Susan Fussell, Cristen Torrey, Comparing a Computer Agent with a Humanoid Robot, Human Computer Interaction Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, 2007
- Luisa Damiano e Paul Dumouchel, Anthropomorphism in Human–Robot Co-evolution, Front Psychol, 2018
- Malcolm Foster, Aging Japan: Robots may have role in future of elder care, Reuters, 28 marzo 2018
Gestural e text recognition
- Liu, Hongyi & Wang, Lihui, Gesture recognition for human-robot collaboration: A review, International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 2018
- R. C. Luo and Y. C. Wu, Hand gesture recognition for Human-Robot Interaction for service robot, 2012 IEEE International Conference on Multisensor Fusion and Integration for Intelligent Systems (MFI), Hamburg, 2012, pp. 318-323
- Waldherr, S., Romero, R. & Thrun, S. A Gesture Based Interface for Human-Robot Interaction. Autonomous Robots 9, 2000, 151–173
Use of emotional robots
- Riek, L.D., Robotics Technology in Mental Healthcare, in D. Luxton (Ed.), Artificial Intelligence in Behavioral Health and Mental Health Care, Elsevier, 2015.
- Joost Broekens PhD , Marcel Heerink MSc , Henk Rosendal PhD, Assistive social robots in elderly care: a review.
- Arielle AJ Scoglio, BA, MPH, Erin D Reilly, MEd, PhD, Jay A Gorman, PhD, Charles E Drebing, PhD, Use of Social Robots in Mental Health and Well-Being Research: Systematic Review, 2019.