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| Kim Byoung-soo, the President of ROBOTIS | | Thompson plays with a brand new robot in the living room. He transforms it into a tank to defeat one of its enemies, presses a variety of buttons that produce different sound effects, and finally turns it back into a talking robot that speaks with a deep voice. His younger sister next to him, however, is not amazed at all to hear another triumphant robotic battle. She is eager to finish giving her doll a makeover. With the new dress she has bought for her doll, Mina, she is going to change the doll from head to toe and take it outside to play with it. Thompson looks over at his sister after his glorious battle and asks himself, "Why can't I make my own robot from scratch and change its looks every day?"
Robots give the imagination fertile ground for all types of fantasies. While some worry that such a process is a poison to the market, Robotis is a company that provides a toy block kit from which anyone of at any age can build their own customized robot. Kim Byoung-soo, the President of Robotis, stated, "Robots are part of our imagination. Due to the government's and robot companies' tremendous efforts and passion, robots will soon become part of our lives and enrich the quality of our lives. Yet who will enhance the quality of robots in our imaginations? Robotis' vision is to recall our childhood imaginations and bring them to life with technology." Nearly everyone has experience playing with block toys. Robots can be made as easy as objects made out of blocks. Just as one would pile up blocks to make whatever structure they want, Robotis allows anyone to make their own robots for different purposes.
 A hand-sized plastic container full of blocks called OLLO includes a "dynamixel", or an actuator, and allows a person to build any robot he or she wishes - including a military robot, a pet, or a robot fighter. "We believe that there is a market for the User Created Robot (UCR), and we try to provide easy solutions for those who want to make their own robots," added Kim. For just $20-30, hundreds of robots can be created by an OLLO owner, some with the help of an instruction sheet and the rest without. "If OLLO is for children at an early age, the BIOLOID kit is suitable for high school students and up. The BIOLOID Kit allows people to build robot models that resemble real life designs made from more sophisticated and complicated pieces than OLLO. A sensor motor dinamixel placed in the joints allows the joints to move automatically, and creates motion," said Kim.
The price of a BIOLOID Kit ranges from $500-$1000. High school and university students often find it both helpful and entertaining. Kim said, "We believe that the educational and entertaining aspects of our products will help people to understand robots better and create a whole new infrastructure. While my company functions as an imagination practitioner, I hope that the government and intelligent robot companies will continue the drive that will bring forth a synergy effect. Collaboration and teamwork is a key to success in the new growth engine industry." Robotis will be one of the companies participating at Robot World 2008, and is looking forward to making first contact with potential consumers. Kim predicts the exciting event will introduce new people to the wonders of robots. He said, "These robots may sound new, but there are similar industries already out there. There are similar, simpler tools used to build creativity in the education market.
Hobby markets dealing small planes or cars and DIY markets can sell user created robots (UCR). Our partners forge new paths to distribution or work in developed markets to promote sales of UCR. "I hope to see more partners like them at the 2008 Robot World. Our new product, OLLO, is a low-priced UCR, yet it is very educational and entertaining. It may look like a simple toy, but the built robot operates and has moving parts. I look forward to showing our product to many potential buyers." Instead of predicting a future that encompasses a "rise of the machines" scenario where robots overthrow their human creators, Kim predicts that robots will adapt to the world of human beings and the two will coexist like animals sharing the same ecosystem. Robots are the future. People born in other eras could not imagine their appliances being built by a complicated machine. But, just as no one in Tokyo expected to wake up one day and suddenly find Godzilla outside their window, Kim expects the growth to be gradual, "We will not suddenly interact freely with robots. Moreover, robot technology is not yet at a level to satisfy our needs. Just as people waited a long time for advanced software after PCs were available, UCR robots will boost people's hunger for intelligent robots. Together, we can expand our market," he explained.
Kim says that his company will work on providing affordable UCR solutions. Robotis' customers are people who make robots, and Kim says they will work in partnership to cover each other's needs while letting their strengths grow. Robotis eventually wants to become a company that provides a standard robot module. Just as dolls have accessories that consumers can buy at a later date, Robotis' next goal is to launch robot accessories that can give makeovers to OLLO and BIOLOID. "Personal robots are a process of turning our imaginations into reality. We want to share with the whole world this thrilling sensation we've felt in making robots," Kim concluded. Robotis will demonstrate at Robot World 2008 how childhood hopes are no longer just a dream. They are now a reality thanks to the new technology of Robotis.
Chun Go-eun/toclair@ittimes.co.kr |
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