Newsroom Home Newsroom Archive 2003 March 10

News Release

Epson to Unveil a Prototype Microrobot with Ultra-thin, Ultrasonic Motor
and Power-Saving Bluetooth Module

TOKYO, Japan, March 10 - Seiko Epson Corporation ("Epson") has developed a prototype microrobot, Monsieur II-P, as a means of highlighting the company's original micromechatronics technology and of exploring potential applications for component technologies. The diminutive robot will be on display at the Robodex 2003, an entertainment robot exposition that is to be held from April 3 through 6 at the Pacifico Yokohama exhibition center.

The Monsieur II-P prototype microrobot is activated by what Epson believes to be the world's thinnest microactuator (an ultra-thin, ultrasonic motor). Moreover, the microrobot is controlled by a Bluetooth module that features world-class power-saving features.

Micromechatronics has long been one of Epson's core technologies. Over the past decade Epson, experimentally using this micromechatronics expertise, has developed and marketed a family of microrobots known as the EMRoS series*1 . The first member of the EMRoS family, "Monsieur," was unveiled in 1993. "Monsieur" was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's smallest robot. In July of 2001, Epson signalled its intent to continue breaking new ground in the field of mechatronics by setting up the FX Promotion Office, an organization whose charter is to pursue micromechatronics technology at the submillimeter level, thereby identifying the buds of new business.

The Monsieur II-P prototype microrobot represents a step up from the earlier generation of EMRoS series microrobots. Not only does it run longer and faster than its predecessors, but it can also be flexibly controlled. The enabling technologies? An ultra-thin, ultrasonic motor and a low-power Bluetooth module, both products of Epson's R&D lab.

To highlight the virtues of Monsieur II-P in an appealing fashion at the Robodex exposition, Epson plans to put on a full-blown stage performance by the world's smallest robot ballet company. Toward that end, the company has enlisted the services of ballet dancer / choreographer Jo Kanamori, who studied under renowned choreographer Maurice Bejart and has been involved in numerous high-profile performances in Japan and abroad. Working under the stage direction of Kanamori will be a team made up of some of Japan's hottest artists in stage design, lighting, and sound. Visitors will enjoy the collaboration between some of the world's top stage artists and some of the world's top "microartists."

Epson plans to use the impetus from this exhibition to further push the technology envelope in micromechatronics and its applications.

Please see the attachment for an overview of Monsieur II-P and a profile of Jo Kanamori.

*1 "EMRoS" stands for Epson Micro Robot System. There were four members of the EMRoS family: Monsieur (1 cm3 in volume and listed by the Guinness Book of Records; 1993 ), Niño (0.5 cm3 in volume; 1994); Ricordo (1 cm3 in volume and equipped with a recording and playback function; 1995); and Rubie (a 1 cm3 microrobot equipped with capricious wandering function;1995). All are autonomous traveling robots that chase a light source. Sales of the EMRoS series have been discontinued.

About Epson
The Epson Group increases its corporate value through its innovative and creative culture. Dedicated to providing its customers with digital image innovation, its main product lines comprise information-related equipment such as printers and projectors, electronic devices including displays, semiconductors and quartz devices, and precision products such as watches. Epson products are known throughout the world for their superior quality, functionality, compactness and energy efficiency.
The Epson Group is a network of 73,797 employees in 114 companies around the world, and is proud of its ongoing contributions to the global environment and to the communities in which it is located. Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corp., which is listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, the Group had consolidated sales of 1,322 billion yen in fiscal 2002.


Seiko Epson Corp.
Corporate Communications,
+81-266-58-1705 or +81-3-3340-2637
E-mail
http://www.epson.co.jp/

Attachment

Prototype Microrobot "Monsieur II-P"

Features: An ultrathin, ultrasonic motor enables the left and right wheels to be independently controlled, allowing the microrobot to be driven forward and backwards, as well as perform pirouettes. A Bluetooth module enables multiple units to be controlled simultaneously.

* Monsieur II-P is a prototype only. There are no plans to market it as a commercial product.

Profile - Jo Kanamori
Dancer / choreographer Jo Kanamori began training under his father Sei Kanamori at the age of 6. At the age of 14, he joined the Asami Maki Ballet company, where he studied under Asami Maki and Kyozo Mitani. In 1992 he struck out for Europe, studying at the Rudra Bejart Lausanne (Switzerland) under Maurice Bejart from 1992 to 1994.
From 1994 to 1997, Kanamori toured the world with The Nederlands Dans Theater II.
He made his debut as a professional choreographer with Under the Marron Tree, which was added to the repertoire of NDT II and premiered in 1997.
Kanamori joined the Opera National du Lyon Ballet in September 1997, moving two years later to The Gothenburg Ballet. In 1998, he was awarded "K. development Lyon - Best Dancer."
In 2001, Kanamori became a freelance dancer and choreographer, working in Japan as well as Europe. He danced with the Cullberg Ballet on its tour of Australia, New Zealand and Italy. he also performed with The Gotheburg Ballet in Stockholm and Finland. Kanamori moved back to Japan in June of 2002. Making full use of his experience overseas, he has been involved in a wide variety of activities, both as a dancer and a choreographer. His latest piece of choreography is "String Piece," performed in November of 2002 by the New National Theater J-Ballet Dance company. In February 2003, Kanamori's first self-produced production "no-mad-ic project" will open.