This project aims to explore performance based robotic systems that allow an operator to manipulate a robot with a high level of expression and animation. A goal of this project is to develop a control interface that can be used to control a robot in real-time, that delivers a high of expression as one would see from typical puppetry. To do this, the system will need to sense the hand and arm motion of the user. This identifies teleoperation as a key area for this research.
Secondly, the system needs to integrate movement principles and techniques that are used and associated with expressive and animated movement. This identifies another key topic of research - principles of movement that make motion expressive and lifelike.
Finally, the system will need to interpret the sensed motion and use an appropriate kinematic/joint mapping strategy that can integrate the principles of movement into the robot motion. This identifies a final key research point - kinematic and movement mapping strategies for expressive movement. Thus, this project falls under the domain of performative robotics, with the task of bridging the gap between embodied teleoperation and expressive robotic movement.
