ERC part funds pioneering humanoid robot

The ERC has helped fund the first completely open-source, 3D printed, humanoid robot.

Named Poppy, the robot was developed in France by Inria’s Flowers team, which creates computer and robotic models as tools for understanding developmental processes in humans. Poppy’s body is 3D printed and its behaviour controlled by freely available software, meaning users can design body parts quickly and easily and programme their robot’s behaviour. Poppy is compatible with the Arduino platform, which allows the robot to interface with other electronic devices, including smart clothing, lights, sensors and musical instruments.

Explaining more about the study, Dr Pierre-Yves Oudeyer, who received an ERC Starting Grant in computer science and informatics, said: “Very little has been done to explore the benefits of 3D printing and its interaction with computer science in classrooms. With our Poppy platform, we are now offering schools and teachers a way to cultivate the creativity of students studying in areas such as mechanics, computer science, electronics and 3D printing.

“Both hardware and software are open source. There is not one single Poppy humanoid robot but as many as there are users. This makes it very attractive as it has grown from a purely technological tool to a real social platform”.

Adding her thoughts on the Poppy initiative, outgoing European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science Máire Geoghegan-Quinn said: “This is a great offshoot of an ERC project: a low-cost platform that could foster a more interactive and inspiring learning environment, allowing students to connect with research and design.”

The Poppy platform benefitted from the ERC-funded ‘Explorers’ project, which saw Oudeyer study the mechanisms of learning and development using robots. The project benefitted from funding worth €1.5m from the ERC and the project runs until 2015. Inventers hope to make use of Poppy as part of vocational training in schools.