To celebrate National Engineering Week, Murata Manufacturing brought their Cheerleader Robots to the SpectuLAB at Epcot’s Innoventions
The Cheerleader Robots perform a synchronized dance using the latest sensing, communication, and group control technologies to remain balanced as they quickly move along. Following their Epcot engagements the cheerleaders will visit some local school science classes.
The engineering marvels can move swiftly in any direction and remain upright using three advanced gyro sensors, which incorporate inverted-pendulum control technology, to detect tilt angles. Similar gyro sensors are commonly used in digital cameras, car navigation systems, and more recently, the electronic stability control (ESC) systems that prevent cars from skidding.
The Murata Cheerleaders are also capable of high-precision routines thanks to real-time position measurement technology. Each robot is equipped with four infrared sensors and five ultrasonic microphones to detect surrounding objects, even in the dark. Based on the differing speeds of sound and light waves, this system is capable of determining the relative positions of the robots.
In collaboration with researchers from Matsuno Lab at Kyoto University, Murata has also developed an advanced group control technology that allows 10 robots to perform in synchronization without colliding. Each robot’s location is communicated via a wireless communication network and controlled through a specially developed program. This same technology may someday be used to realize safer and more efficient vehicle and transportation systems.
Epcot has long been home to groundbreaking technologies that inspire the next generation of innovators. This is just one fun example.