Tartalo robot thinks for itself

A research team from the University of the Basque Country is currently working on a robot that can perform tasks without have to be told concrete rules, as most modern-day robots are. The machine, called Tartalo, is able to move around and in a way “see” its surroundings. It moves around an area and when a doorway comes the robot asks for permission before entering it. It can also detect obstacles and avoids them as it moves. This is all done without any sort of control system on the users’ part.

Making it self-reliant is exactly what Tartalo’s developers are focusing on as they realize the need for robots that can carry out tasks without being told everything in detail. Currently the robot simply wanders around, avoiding anything in its way and entering rooms (with permission of course.) It is quite a feat because the robot is essentially thinking and reacting without constant interruption by humans.

Although the ultimate purpose of the project is to create self-thinking robots, Tartalo can also be useful as it is. It can help navigate people through a building because it basically thinks and keeps reference points in its memory to remember where things are. Systems based on GPS are not plausible for indoor navigation, since databases would be necessary for every building that the system would be used in. Instead, a machine like Tartalo could do a much better job since it basically thinks and sees just like a human guide (except that it would be better at remembering reference points.)