Robot Mannequin Mimics Passersby: Mirror v0.5

We’ve already seen how the fashion industry can make use of robotics to make life easier for shoppers. But a Japanese clothing chain called United Arrows also found a way to use robots to make things more fun for window shoppers. The company installed a robotic mannequin in one of their stores that mimicked the movements of the person in front of it.

kinect marionettebot by united arrows

The mimicking mannequin is called MarionetteBot. It uses a Kinect to capture and help analyze the movements of a person. A motor moves a total of 16 wires to match the mannequin’s pose. MarionetteBot isn’t fast or limber enough to perfectly mimic the moves of a person, but it still proved to be a hit.

How come no one thought of doing the robot dance?

[via Akihabaranews]

United Arrows – Marionettebot – Clothing store mannequin imitates movement

Another good example of the mix of technology, interesting ideas and craziness in Japan.
United Arrows, A popular clothing chain store in Japan created the Marionettebot – a store show window display mannequin in Shibuya, Tokyo that mimics movement.
A Kinect technology camera hooked up to the mannequin with 16 wires and a specially developed motor allow the mannequin to imitate the movements of anyone standing in front of it.
We’ll see if this unique technology application will …