The VIKI Humanoid - - an example of embodied AI

As an example of a modern approach to artificial intelligence that puts emphasis on the balance between control, electronic hardware, material, sensory system and energy, we developed the Viki humanoid robots. In contrast to the top-down approach of equipping a humanoid with as many sensors, motors, power, etc. as possible, we developed a bottom-up approach to the construction of humanoids. The approach is shown with the development of the Viki humanoid that won the RoboCup Humanoids Free Style World Championship 2002. By finding the right balance and relationship between these components of the system, it becomes possible to develop biped walking and other humanoid behaviors with much simpler hardware and control than is traditionally envisioned for humanoids. Indeed, the Viki humanoid robots were able to win the world championship though they include much less sensors, motors and energy use than their competitors. In this paper, we describe the Viki humanoids in details in terms of mechanical structure, electronic hardware and control.