I have developed a shell for androids and humanoid robots that includes working representations of most joints, and is easy to work with. In the present configuration, it is made from aluminum for ease of reconfiguring and to keep it light weight.
The idea behind this project is to give robot designers, educators, and the hobbiest access to an "off the shelf" frame for their creations. By having this option, a user will require fewer tools, take a shorter time for development, and they won't have to "reinvent the wheel."
So far, there isn't another standard chassis for life size humanoid robots or androids on the market, so this would create the supply to a demand that can only be guessed. Many universities and colleges might start teaching robotics classes, given the availability of a pre-built body. Also, many companies may start designing humanoid robots, since the effort to build one is now considerably reduced. Since it would be the only one on the present market, there is nothing to compare costs against.
My design works by a consumer, educator, or business purchasing a chassis, or part of a chassis, which they then add servos, morots, actuators, or whatever they want to automate the frame to accomplish the function they desire.
This chassis, in it's present form, would be manufactured by cutting strips of aluminum to size, drilling holes and tapping some holes, cutting all-thread, bending pieces according to the shape required, then placed in bags or assembled for sale. Other designs could be engineered to be enclosed or incorporate features not included in this prototype.
In the current configuration, a covering can be easily added to protect or obscure the internal components once finalized by the end designer. This can be done with a variety of materials and attached very easily, because of the wide, flat areas exhibited in the chassis. This is why adding internal components will be made easier than with a fully enclosed version.
There is plenty of room in the chest cavity for full sized computer components, so using specialized or under-powered computer setups are unnecessary. All of the joints in the final version would allow cables, wires, or tubing to be run without being damaged when the joint is flexed or rotated.
This prototype is completely hand made by me over the course of several years. I have taken it to a local Maker Faire and had great response to it, and it was shown on a local news cast about the local inventors group that I am a member. I have also put this on my website, IntenseComputers.com/inventions, to gain more exposure to it and hopefully attract potential investors or licensors.
ABOUT THE ENTRANT
Type of entry:individual
Number of times previously entering contest:never
Eric's favorite design and analysis tools:Eyes, ears, hands, & mind. All others are secondary.
Eric's hobbies and activities:Creating what I need.
Eric is inspired by:Problems, issues, engineer's lack of real engineering, lack of a product I would use, lack of funds to buy "the real thing," and technology.