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Post by lowell on Dec 7, 2021 15:38:03 GMT -6
'Ameca, "the future face of robotics," is as freaky as you'd expect' By Nick Lavars December 06, 2021 "Ameca the robot is able to perform a range of human-like gestures and expressions" Engineered Arts
' UK robotics firm Engineered Arts has offered a sneak peek at its new humanoid robot ahead of a full reveal next year, and the preview is as incredible as it is unsettling. Ameca is presented as "the world's most advanced human-shaped robot," and a brief look at this "future face of robotics" suggests it might just live up to this claim.
Engineering Arts is building Ameca to offer a platform for robotics technologies, looking to offer the ideal human-like vehicle for the development of human-like artificial intelligence. Its hardware and software are modular so customers will be able to secure just a head, or an arm, for example, depending on the application.
Part of the package is human-like facial expressions, which the firm hopes will enable Ameca to quickly build rapport with anyone, bridging the gap between humans and the digital world. The robot calls to mind Sophia, the humanoid robot granted citizenship rights to Saudi Arabia in 2017, who proceeded to answer questions from journalists in a press conference and later featured on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
The videos offering a first look at Ameca show the robot appearing to wake up, loosen its joints and look in amazement at the world around it. The expressions and gestures are incredibly natural and, at first glance, seem more lifelike than those of Sophia, though its worth nothing a 40-second preview is much different to a wide-ranging press conference or appearance on late night television.
We should get a better idea of Ameca's true capabilities when Engineered Arts debuts the robot at CES in Las Vegas in January. In the meantime, try not to freak out.'
Source: Engineered Arts
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rdlb2
Freshman Member
Posts: 14
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Post by rdlb2 on Dec 8, 2021 18:14:12 GMT -6
What are the facial muscles? Your face has almost 20 flat skeletal muscles that attach to different places on your skull. The craniofacial muscles are essential to chewing and making facial expressions. They originate from bone or fascia and insert into your skin. Craniofacial muscles work together to control movements in your:
Cheeks. Chin. Ears (only in some people). Eyebrows. Eyelids. Forehead. Lips (upper and lower). Nose and nostrils. FUNCTION What is the purpose of the muscles of your face? Your facial muscles are responsible for two major tasks:
Chewing (also called masticating). Making facial expressions, such as smiling, pouting or raising your eyebrows in surprise. The facial muscles involved in chewing are:
Buccinator, a thin muscle in your cheek that holds each cheek toward your teeth. Lateral pterygoid, a fan-shaped muscle that helps your jaw open. Masseter, a muscle that runs from each cheek to each side of your jaw and helps your jaw close. Medial pterygoid, a thick muscle that helps your jaw close. Temporalis, a fan-shaped muscle that helps your jaw close. The muscles of facial expressions are:
Auriculars, which allow some people to move their ears. Corrugator supercilii, which is near the eyebrow and enables frowning. Depressor anguli oris, which is on each side of your chin and works with other muscles to produce a frown. Depressor labii inferioris, a muscle in your chin that helps control movement in your lower lip. Levator labii superioris alaeque nasi, which can open your nostrils and lift your upper lip. Mentalis, a pair of muscles toward the center of your chin that helps control your lower lip. Nasalis, which allows you to flare your nostrils. Occipitofrontalis, a muscle that extends from your eyebrows to the top of your skull that can raise your eyebrows and wrinkle your forehead. Orbicularis oculi, which closes your eyelids. Orbicularis oris, a circle of muscle around your mouth that closes or purses your lips. Procerus, a muscle between your eyebrows that can pull your brows downward and help flare your nostrils. Risorius, which is located on each side of your mouth and aids in smiling. Zygomaticus major and minor, which allow you to smile. Other functions of the muscles of your face include:
Determining what a person looks like. Protecting your eyes. Keeping food and drink in your mouth (preventing drooling). Talking. Singing. Whistling. ANATOMY Where are the face muscles located? Facial muscles are located throughout your face. They can be categorized by general location:
Buccolabial muscles in and around your mouth. Nasal muscles around your nose. Epicranial muscles of your forehead, skull and neck. Auricular muscles around your ears. Orbital muscles surrounding your eyes.
After watching the video, they still have a ways to go.
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Post by lowell on Dec 8, 2021 21:36:33 GMT -6
There is another video at the link. It is a vimeo video and about as long as this one. It shows more of the facial expressions possible. You can only view it by finding it in the New Atlas article. newatlas.com/robotics/ameca-humanoid-robot-video/
I looked at the Sophia robot videos and the facial expressions are more natural in this new effort. The movements of the head are also improved. Of course there is no voice yet as there was for Sophia, integrating the facial expressions with dialogue and responding to humans in conversations with realistic expressions and vocal production simultaneously will be a challenge.
Sophia was 5 years old in the video I saw. This new robot will also be learning and it will be interesting to see and hear it in 5 years.
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