Mimebot: Sphere-shaped Mobile Robot Imitating Rotational Movement

Abstract

We propose a mobile robot that can give the audience the optical illusion of the unique movements of a sphere by mounting a spherical light-emitting diode (LED) display on a high-agility wheeled robot. This paper examines a mobile robot in the shape of a ball that is used in theatrical performances and reveals that the movements that are difficult to implement with existing mechanisms can nonetheless be visualized through the use of light.

Japanese ver.

LINKS

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Performance

This is a performance that combines mime and Mimebots. Mimebots use illusory light effects to give the audience the impression that the sphere is rolling. As such, Mimebots can not only express realistic spherical movements, but also express motions that are inconsistent with the laws of physics, such as appear to roll uphill. Also, through the use of realistic spherical movements, Mimebots can create optical illusions using their surrounding environment. For example, by pretending to have crashed into a wall the sphere can express the existence of an invisible wall. In this manner, Mimebots express themselves much like human mime artists do.

Mime x Mimebots

1. Performer
   1. Naoki Iimuro
2. LED Display Ball
   1. Takemori Tatsuya
   2. Shuhei Tsuchida
3. Spherical Robot
   1. Keita Tomochika
4. Base Robot
   1. Tatsuya Takemori
5. Software
   1. Shuhei Tsuchida
6. Movies for LED Display Ball
   1. Yuma Ito
7. Support
   1. Yukako Takeuchie
   2. Nur Wahida
   3. Taiga Tanaka
   4. Hiroto Shozude
8. Special Thanks
   1. Chiaki Hayashi
   2. Takahiro Miyashita
   3. Tsutomu Terada
   4. Masahiko Tsukamoto
   5. Tsukamoto Terada Laboratory

Mime x Mimebots (30sec Digest ver.)

Mime x Mimebots (Multiple angle ver.)

Mime x Mimebots (Multiple angle, parralel ver.)

LED Display Ball Effects

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