“One of our top priorities is the domestic robots market for dependent persons, whether they be elderly, handicapped or autistic,” says Vincent Dupourqué, CEO of Robosoft. “Kompaï is the culmination of several years of research with scientific and medical partners. This first generation is intended for developers who would like to implement their own robotics applications for assistance”.

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“We’re very happy to welcome Robosoft to ILTCI,” says Jim Glickman, CEO of LifeCare Assurance Company and one of the organizers of the 2010 ILTCI Conference. “We are looking forward to the time when modern technologies, and in particular robotics, can provide fast and efficient solutions for helping to better assist dependent persons while controlling costs. Kompaï’s presence at our conference will be an opportunity to view the current progress about these new technologies and raise awareness with all of the key decision makers in the long term care insurance industry”.

Kompaï is intended to help dependent persons in their daily lives. It is a mobile and communicative product. Somewhat like a dog, it has its “basket”, which is the recharging dock that it heads back to when its batteries are low. Equipped with speech, it is able to understand simple orders and give a certain level of response. It knows its position within the house, how to get from one point to another on demand or on its own initiative, and it remains permanently connected to the internet and all its associated services.

Its primary means of communication with people is speech, with an additional touch screen that features simple icons. Future generations of Kompaï will be equipped with visual abilities, and also the possibility to understand and express emotions. And later, the addition of arms will allow it perform more practical functions  needed in everyday life as handling objects, leading to meal preparation or tidying.

The robot is 1.3 meters (4.3 feet) tall and it weighs 55 kilograms (121 pounds). It has a human-like body with a rotating head, arms and legs, and is capable of “seeing” 3D objects and recognizing jobs that need to be done. The robot, using its moving hands, elbows and six fingers, can pick up a dirty shirt, throw it into a washing machine and push the buttons to get the laundry done.

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Mahru-Z could also work in tandem with its fellow maid robot, Marhu-M, an earlier KIST creation that moves on wheels, as both machines can be remote controlled through a computer server. Mahru-Z, for example, can put fruit in a basket and put it on the dinner table, while Mahru-M, which has the advantage in mobility, can locate the owner and bring him the fruits directly.

”The most distinctive strength of Mahru-Z is its visual ability to observe objects, recognize the tasks needed to be completed, and execute them. It recognizes people, can turn on microwave ovens, washing machines and toasters, and also pick up sandwiches, cups and whatever else its senses as objects,” said You Bum-jae, heads of the Cognitive Robot Center at KIST. “Another strength of Mahru-Z is that it is autonomous, as it can navigate rooms unattended using its visual sensors, and pick things up on the way.”

Although similar machines have been created elsewhere, with many of the efforts coming from Japan, You claims Mahru-Z is the most advanced domestic robot yet in terms of mimicking human movement. Aside from household chores, Mahru-Z can also be used in conditions too difficult or dangerous for humans.

”The network capabilities of the robot makes it capable of doing jobs in areas that are dangerous, contaminated or previously unvisited, as every movement can be remote controlled,” You said. “In the future, these types of robots could be used for doing things in space, such as operating machinery on the moon, while its controller stays back on Earth.”

However, Mahru-Z won’t be saving people from their tedious household chores any time soon, as KIST officials admit it will be a long time before the robot can be mass produced for commercial use.