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 Chris Atkeson's work in the field of soft robotics inspired the
creation of Baymax. He, along with researcher Yong-Lea Park, both
computer scientists at Carnegie Mellon University, say the public's
perception is changing with the realization that robots don't
necessarily want to take over the world.
"I don't think you are ever going to stop Hollywood from making
killer robot movies but I think people want technology to help
them," Atkeson said.
As of May 2015, Big Hero 6 has earned Disney upwards of $220 million
USD at the box office and from DVD sales in the United States alone.
"Ten years ago people were building robots, but people were more
interested in building robots from rigid materials and strong
materials and powerful machines," said Park who added that until
recently the majority of research and development spending in the
robotic space was centered in the manufacturing and military
sectors.
Instead of drones and automated factory workers made of metal, the
machines that Atkeson and Park build are made of rubber and plastic,
making them safer for humans to interact with. The researchers are
also working on giving their soft robots a sense of touch, an
ability now possible thanks to developments in the field of material
science.
According to Carmel Majidi, an assistant professor of mechanical
engineering, the next step towards designing a safe and friendly
robots is developing technologies that will bridge the gap between
soft materials and computer hardware.
"There are going to be certain rigid components in these electronics
and machines. And so a big goal for us is to develop materials
simultaneously compatible with that kind of more mature established
microelectronic hardware," he said.
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Major advances in machine learning are needed to make robots like
Baymax a reality. But other technologies utilizing soft robotics are
much closer to market, especially in the field of wearable computing
where smart clothing laced with flexible circuitry and electronic
devices that adhere to skin are on the road to commercialization.
In the movie, Baymax has the ability to interact with humans and
monitor their health. That technology is also taking shape,
according to Atkeson, who points to technologies like iPhone's Siri
and wearable devices like Fitbit as examples of that.
"I have heard from many, many people talk about the positive impact
that the movie Big Hero 6 has had on kids, and it has it in two
ways. One, it makes them like robots, and two, it makes them want to
be scientists and engineers."
According to Atkeson, that is the most important element of making a
real Baymax, - inspiring the next generation to build him.
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