A robot includes an operation control unit that selects a motion of the robot, a drive mechanism that executes a motion selected by the operation control unit, and a remaining battery charge monitoring unit that monitors a remaining charge of a rechargeable battery. Behavioral characteristics of the robot change in accordance with the remaining battery charge. For example, a motion with a small processing load is selected at a probability that is higher the smaller the remaining battery charge. Referring to consumption plan data that define a power consumption pace of the rechargeable battery, the behavioral characteristics of the robot may be caused to change in accordance with a difference between the remaining battery charge scheduled in the consumption plan data and the actual remaining battery charge.

A robot includes an operation control unit that selects a motion of the robot, a drive mechanism that executes a motion selected by the operation control unit, and a remaining battery charge monitoring unit that monitors a remaining charge of a rechargeable battery. Behavioral characteristics of the robot change in accordance with the remaining battery charge. For example, a motion with a small processing load is selected at a probability that is higher the smaller the remaining battery charge. Referring to consumption plan data that define a power consumption pace of the rechargeable battery, the behavioral characteristics of the robot may be caused to change in accordance with a difference between the remaining battery charge scheduled in the consumption plan data and the actual remaining battery charge.

An artificial eye for use with an animatronic figure or a robot. The artificial eye includes an outer shell formed with a wall defining a spherical inner void space. The outer shell includes a transparent outer or forward portion or half joined with a rear portion or half. The artificial eye includes an inner eye or sphere including a hollow, semi-spherical shell, and the inner eye is positioned in the inner void space of the outer shell. The artificial eye includes an electromagnetic drive positioned within the hollow, semi-spherical shell of the inner eye. The electromagnetic drive supports the inner eye a distance from inner surfaces of the outer shell wall, and the drive includes a pivot joint such as a gimbal operable to pivot the inner eye. The inner eye is supported by a central pivot joint and driven by components centrally located and hidden within the inner eye.

An artificial eye for use with an animatronic figure or a robot. The artificial eye includes an outer shell formed with a wall defining a spherical inner void space. The outer shell includes a transparent outer or forward portion or half joined with a rear portion or half. The artificial eye includes an inner eye or sphere including a hollow, semi-spherical shell, and the inner eye is positioned in the inner void space of the outer shell. The artificial eye includes an electromagnetic drive positioned within the hollow, semi-spherical shell of the inner eye. The electromagnetic drive supports the inner eye a distance from inner surfaces of the outer shell wall, and the drive includes a pivot joint such as a gimbal operable to pivot the inner eye. The inner eye is supported by a central pivot joint and driven by components centrally located and hidden within the inner eye.

A method, apparatus, and system according to which a patient simulator includes one or more of the following: a left eye assembly including a simulated left pupil, a simulated left eyelid, and/or a simulated left iris; a right eye assembly including a simulated right pupil, a simulated right eyelid, and/or a simulated right iris; a neck assembly including a simulated neck; a left brow assembly including a simulated left brow; a right brow assembly including a simulated right brow; a tear duct assembly including simulated left and right cheeks through which artificial pores are formed; and a mouth assembly including a simulated mouth. In various embodiments, any one, or a combination, of these assemblies may be, include, or be part of, a manikin in the form of a human face, and may therefore be activated simultaneously to realistically simulate life-like human emotional states.

The present invention relates to a plush toy. The plush toy is shaped as a doll, toy, cartoon or any other shape. The plush toy comprises a face portion, a torso portion, a plurality of appendages in the form of arms, legs, ears, tail and/or antennas. The plush toy has a single sock-like fabric outer housing filled with a soft stuffing material. The plush toy can be held in a hand, attached to a keychain or a necklace, and/or have a magnetic attachment. The size of the plush toy varies depending on the size of the sock-like fabric being used.

There is provided an information processing apparatus and an information processing method that can provide more useful information for an action plan of an autonomous mobile body, the information processing apparatus including an action recommendation unit configured to present a recommended action recommended to an autonomous mobile body, to the autonomous mobile body that performs an action plan based on situation estimation. The action recommendation unit determines the recommended action on the basis of an action history collected from a plurality of the autonomous mobile bodies, and on the basis of a situation summary received from a target autonomous mobile body that is a target of recommendation. The information processing method includes presenting, by a processor, a recommended action recommended to an autonomous mobile body, to the autonomous mobile body that performs an action plan based on situation estimation.

Visually distinguishable robots and methods to manufacture the same are disclosed. An example kit for constructing a robot includes a first component for a framework of the robot, a second component for the framework, and a connector to secure the first and second components in a spatial relationship of a plurality of possible spatial relationships. The spatial relationship is to cause the robot to have a humanly perceptible identity.

Visually distinguishable robots and methods to manufacture the same are disclosed. An example kit for constructing a robot includes a first component for a framework of the robot, a second component for the framework, and a connector to secure the first and second components in a spatial relationship of a plurality of possible spatial relationships. The spatial relationship is to cause the robot to have a humanly perceptible identity.

A method and apparatus according to which a patient simulator includes one or more of the following: a left eye assembly including a simulated left pupil, a simulated left eyelid, and/or a simulated left iris; a right eye assembly including a simulated right pupil, a simulated right eyelid, and/or a simulated right iris; a neck assembly including a simulated neck; a left brow assembly including a simulated left brow; a right brow assembly including a simulated right brow; a tear duct assembly including simulated left and right cheeks through which artificial pores are formed; and a mouth assembly including a simulated mouth. In various embodiments, any one, or a combination, of these assemblies may be, include, or be part of, a manikin in the form of a human face, and may therefore be activated simultaneously to realistically simulate life-like human facial features/expressions.