Xiaomi keep experimenting with robots. just submitted Xiaomi Modular Robota modular robot that is assembled by pieces, and can have the shape you want. Just by swapping modules around you can turn it into a dog, a bipedal android, a smart arm, or whatever you fancy.
Modular robots are quite rare, because it is not easy to make the parts work in a coordinated and coherent way, if you assemble them at will. But from what can be seen in the opening video of the news, it seems that Xiaomi has achieved it.
in the new Xiaomi Mijia Modular Robot the Chinese company uses its clipbo modules that you have already used on other occasions, but now you have added something new:
Basically there are modules in the form of a sphere, other planes, a base, the limbs and the head. And from here, you mount whatever you want.
All modules fit together with a simple clickand the spheres allow up to four modules to be connected at the same time, so the combinations are very varied.
in the head has a custom ARM processoras well as several sensors that detect if you touch the robot, the movement in front of the camera, gesture recognition and visual identification of people.
Once the Xiaomi Modular Robot is assembled, the AI will try to make all the pieces move in a coordinated way, but most likely you will have to help it with the help of The programing.
Xiaomi Modular Robot, designed for STEM education
And this is where the educational aspect of this Xiaomi modular robot, It seems focused on children. Has an icon-based programming language that can be programmed from the mobile or tablet.
It allows you to define in which direction the parts move, or create reactions and functions based on what the robot’s sensors detect. You can use it as an alarm that warns when it detects movement, that greets each member of the family differently, that follows you, etc.
Xiaomi Mijia Modular Robotthe Xiaomi modular robot that you assemble by parts as you wish, is already on sale in China, at a price of 3,599 yuan, which in exchange is about 513 euros. You have more information on their website.