In a case where an actual object is moved by a user manipulation or by other means, physical phenomena associated with the object are addressed. A control system includes a mobile apparatus being an apparatus that moves on a sheet where images indicating coordinates are arranged and having a camera for photographing part of the sheet. The control system acquires the user manipulation, controls the mobile apparatus in such a manner as to travel according to the user manipulation (S106), detects a position of the mobile apparatus on the basis of an image photographed by the camera included in the mobile apparatus (S101), determines, on the basis of the position detection by position detection means, whether or not the mobile apparatus has moved in a manner estimated on the basis of the user manipulation (S102, S105), and performs a predetermined procedure (S103, S110, S111) in a case where it is determined that the mobile apparatus does not move in the estimated manner.

Empathy toward a robot is increased by the robot emulating human-like or animal-like behavior. A robot includes a movement determining unit that determines a direction of movement, an action determining unit that selects a gesture from multiple kinds of gesture, and a drive mechanism that executes a specified movement and gesture. When a user enters a hall, an external sensor installed in advance detects a return home, and notifies the robot via a server that the user has returned home. The robot heads to the hall, and welcomes the user home by performing a gesture indicating goodwill, such as sitting down and raising an arm.

Empathy toward a robot is increased by the robot emulating human-like or animal-like behavior. A robot includes a movement determining unit that determines a direction of movement, an action determining unit that selects a gesture from multiple kinds of gesture, and a drive mechanism that executes a specified movement and gesture. When a user enters a hall, an external sensor installed in advance detects a return home, and notifies the robot via a server that the user has returned home. The robot heads to the hall, and welcomes the user home by performing a gesture indicating goodwill, such as sitting down and raising an arm.

A programmable robot (1) for educational purposes comprising a body (2) comprising a drive system (21) for causing the robot to move, an information acquisition device (22) configured to acquire information from an external information carrying element (101), and a first connection element (23), and a head (3) comprising a control system (31) with a data storage element (32) and a processor element (34) being configured to receive a data signal transmitted from the at least one information acquisition device, the data signal comprising the acquired information from the external information carrying element, to process the data signal to interpret the information and achieve instructions, and to cause the drive system (21) to move the robot (1) in accordance with the instructions, and a second connection element (33), where the body (2) and the head (3) are adapted to be detachably coupled to one another by connecting the first connection element (23) and the second connection element (33) to one another.

Putting clothes on a robot is facilitated. A robot includes an operation control unit that selects a motion, a drive mechanism that executes the selected motion, a mode setting unit that sets a mode of the robot, and a power supply control unit. The operation control unit restricts a torque of an actuator included in the drive mechanism when a clothes changing mode is set, and the power supply control unit maintains energization of an electronic circuit that realizes a function of the operation control unit, even while in the clothes changing mode.

A robot system has a follower robot and a leader robot. The follower robot follows the path of the leader robot using infrared (IR) signals. The follower robot follows the physical path and positioning of the leader robot. The leader robot is permitted to travel an arbitrary path or is controlled by a wireless transmitter. Relative robot positioning, being distance or direction can use an infrared system between respective robots.

The present invention is disclosing an interactive electronic toy that comprises a first microprocessor configured to determine a mode of operation. In an instance in which mode of operation is a first mode, a receiver is configured to receive one or more control signals from a remote control unit. In an instance in which mode of operation is a second mode, one or more sensors are configured to detect one or more events in a defined proximity area. A set of output devices and/or a set of motorized wheels are configured to be activated based on said received one or more control signals or said detected one or more events.

In an information processing system 1, an information processing apparatus 10 recognizes, when a user moves real bodies 120a and 120b arranged on a play field 19, the movement on the basis of, for example, an image taken by a camera 122 taking an image of the movement to interlock objects of corresponding characters 202a and 202b displayed on a display apparatus 16. In addition, when the user moves the characters 202a and 202b through an input apparatus 14, the information processing apparatus 10 transmits a control signal to the corresponding real bodies 120a and 120b to perform interlocking. When a situation in which interlocking between the real bodies 120a and 120b and the characters 202a and 202b is difficult occurs, an appropriate scenario is selected from the scenarios prepared in advance and realized, thereby maintaining the consistency.

In an information processing system 1, an information processing apparatus 10 recognizes, when a user moves real bodies 120a and 120b arranged on a play field 19, the movement on the basis of, for example, an image taken by a camera 122 taking an image of the movement to interlock objects of corresponding characters 202a and 202b displayed on a display apparatus 16. In addition, when the user moves the characters 202a and 202b through an input apparatus 14, the information processing apparatus 10 transmits a control signal to the corresponding real bodies 120a and 120b to perform interlocking. When a situation in which interlocking between the real bodies 120a and 120b and the characters 202a and 202b is difficult occurs, an appropriate scenario is selected from the scenarios prepared in advance and realized, thereby maintaining the consistency.

In a case where an actual object is moved by a user manipulation or by other means, physical phenomena associated with the object are addressed. A control system includes a mobile apparatus being an apparatus that moves on a sheet where images indicating coordinates are arranged and having a camera for photographing part of the sheet. The control system acquires the user manipulation, controls the mobile apparatus in such a manner as to travel according to the user manipulation (S106), detects a position of the mobile apparatus on the basis of an image photographed by the camera included in the mobile apparatus (S101), determines, on the basis of the position detection by position detection means, whether or not the mobile apparatus has moved in a manner estimated on the basis of the user manipulation (S102, S105), and performs a predetermined procedure (S103, S110, S111) in a case where it is determined that the mobile apparatus does not move in the estimated manner.