Robots are one indication of just how powerful our brains can be.

And right now, roboticist Walter Martinez is at the cutting edge of that research, at Cal State Long Beach.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Walter, who currently serves as secretary for the Robotics Society of Southern California, has built an InMoov robot–and programmed it to move in response to brain waves!  (You’ll recall, from our 2017 interview, that the InMoov is the world’s first fully 3D printed, life-sized robot, and that the plans are open-source.)

His robot, “Evo”, can move forward and backward, as a subject thinks of these motions!

In addition, Walter, who teaches electrical engineering classes at CSULB, recently obtained a grant, with which he bought a “Pepper” humanoid robot for the campus.   Walter says he believes CSULB is now the first college campus with “Pepper”, which is designed as a social robot.

“Pepper” can read facial expressions, determine emotions and carry on a conversation, when working with a list of provided questions.

Walter talked about both the “Pepper” and “Evo” robots, and what current robotic research has revealed about our brains.

On this edition of Over Coffee®, you’ll hear:

• How “Pepper” works, as a social robot;

• How our brain waves can cause “Evo” to move;

• What needs to happen to make Evo move, with brain signals;

• Some of the obstacles to focusing to move Evo, and how Walter deals with them;

• The process a scientist or an arts person can use to focus on moving Evo;

• Some of the implications of brain-wave research in other areas, such as stroke rehabilitation and the use of brain waves;

• Walter’s favorite experiences with Pepper and Evo;

• Some projected future uses of brain-wave research findings;

• Some of the implications and findings of recent brain-wave research;

• Upcoming special events happening at the Robotics Society of Southern California (including a May 12th visit from the Mars Rover Driver, John Wright.  Everyone’s welcome!;

• Information on the upcoming competitions RSSC is having, AND the Robotics Expo that’s coming up in August!

The Robotics Society of Southern California meets this Saturday, May 12th at 10:00 am in Cal State University Long Beach’s Engineering Technology Building, Room 241.  Everyone is welcome, whether you’re a skilled roboticist or someone who loves robots but has no plans to ever build one!  And keep the dates of August 4th and August 25th in mind, for the “Long beach Robot Showcase”!  Here’s the link for more information.