Thin Portable Terminal With Foldable Arms For Robotic Expression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable communication terminals that attempt to function as robots either lack expressive capabilities due to immobile limbs or compromise portability, and existing robots with communication functions are not portable enough.
Innovation Solution
A thin portable communication terminal with freely turnable arm portions, independently movable leg portions, and an imaging unit that allows the terminal to approach a user based on captured images, maintaining portability while enabling robotic expressions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a portable communication terminal is designed with movable limbs to function as a robot, then robotic functionality and expressive capabilities are improved, but portability and slim design are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The arm portions are rotatably coupled to the casing and can be folded against the body of the terminal, allowing them to nest within the terminal's profile when not in use. This nesting mechanism enables the terminal to maintain a slim form factor while still incorporating movable robotic limbs, resolving the contradiction between robotic functionality and portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal employs dynamically movable arm portions with rotational joints that can change position based on operational needs. These dynamic components allow the terminal to transition between a compact portable state and an expressive robotic state, enabling adaptability without permanently increasing the terminal's thickness.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a portable communication terminal is designed with movable limbs to function as a robot, then robotic functionality is improved, but ease of carrying is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The arm portions can be folded and nested against the terminal body, creating a compact form that is easy to carry in pockets or bags. This nesting capability ensures that when robotic functionality is not needed, the terminal reverts to a portable-friendly configuration, maintaining ease of carrying.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal serves multiple functions: it operates as a standard portable communication device when the arms are retracted, and as a robotic device when the arms are deployed. This multi-functionality allows users to carry it conveniently as a smartphone while still accessing robotic capabilities when needed, satisfying both portability and robotic functionality requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a portable communication terminal is designed with movable limbs to function as a robot, then expressive capabilities are improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal uses rotational joints with controlled degrees of freedom to achieve expressive movements. By implementing dynamic articulation points at the coupling between arms and casing, the system enables natural-looking robotic expressions without requiring overly complex mechanical structures, balancing expressiveness with manageable complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A thin portable communication terminal that includes a casing having a rectangular parallelepiped shape; one pair of arm portions each having one end that is axially supported to be turnable with respect to corresponding one of both side faces on longer sides of the casing; hand portions each disposed at another end of corresponding one of the one pair of arm portions; and a leg portion disposed on one side face that is on a shorter side of the casing and is capable of independent movement.