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Posted: **Wed Feb 22, 2017 6:30 pm**

There are some videos on the main site if you'd like to check them out, and there's also a Twitter page if you'd like to follow it:

https://twitter.com/MyFirstATOM

Sources: http://atom2020.jp/sp/, The Mainichi

The Mainichi wrote:Artificial intelligence-equipped Astro Boy robot to go on sale in Japan

Publisher Kodansha Ltd. and other firms on Feb. 22 unveiled an artificial intelligence robot based on the Japanese manga and anime character Astro Boy (Tetsuwan Atom) that consumers will be able to assemble themselves.

The robot, named ATOM, will be sold in parts with the weekly publication "Shukan Tetsuwan Atom o Tsukuro" (Weekly let's build Astro Boy), from April 4. Readers who purchase all 70 issues can look forward to completing it in September 2018.

The robot will be released to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the birth of Osamu Tezuka, the manga artist who authored Astro Boy.

ATOM stands some 44 centimeters tall and weighs about 1.4 kilograms. The robot's exterior is made of synthetic resin. It can stand and walk on its feet and talk. It can also sing songs and do radio calisthenics.

Equipped with a camera, the robot can distinguish between different faces. It attempts to laugh along with users, and is able to discuss different topics and talk with differing levels of politeness depending on the user. Officials say it can communicate naturally.

The first issue of the publication will cost 896 yen, and each issue thereafter will cost 1,990 yen. Buying all issues would cost about 200,000 yen.

While the robot is being marketed as one that users can build with a single screwdriver, the company will also take orders for a fully assembled version, costing about 230,000 yen.

Posted: **Wed Feb 22, 2017 6:52 pm**

I was waiting for them to finally do this. I guess the company that built the Robi robot
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPjlJKRa7Uw
had to wait to get Tezuka productions endorsement to do it.
Myatomu's voice sounds just like Robi's. He is a little taller (~17" vs ~13") than Robi. But you can tell that he uses similar servos and the same walk gait.

Looks like it will be sold in the same format as Robi was, in 70 installments with a magazine, total cost would be about 200,000 Yen, (about $1761 at current exchange rates).

BTW Atomu probably runs on Linux, his AI is based on a Raspberry Pi 3 computer! He has a built in camera with face recognition (Rpi supports a camera and LCD display, which Atomu has in his chest. Rpi also has a built in sound processor that Atomu uses to talk with.

You know you want one!

There is a guy who made videos about assembling the original Robi robot on youtube. That series ran for 70 episodes, one for each of Robi's part kits. Maybe he'll do videos for Atomu.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQFSNz05TF8

Posted: **Thu Feb 23, 2017 1:08 am**

Not as charming as the original, but really cool nonetheless! If only I had $2000...

Posted: **Thu Feb 23, 2017 2:36 am**

My eyes have witnessed the beauty of the future *_*

Posted: **Thu Feb 23, 2017 5:28 am**

I just watched the videos and he sounds adorable!!! Perfect choice for his voice imo. The one thing I don't understand is why his default position is squatting. He can clearly stand up right so how come he needs to squat so much?
I didn't see this video on the site so here's a little promo video I found.

Posted: **Thu Feb 23, 2017 3:20 pm**

Just wondering... does he speak other languages than Japanese?

Posted: **Thu Feb 23, 2017 5:11 pm**

It costs about 230,000 yen for a fully assembled robot, in Indonesian rupiah (IDR) it's around 27-28 million rupiah (1 JPY = 118.16 IDR, as of February 23rd). I wish I could have one, maybe in a very long time. :lol:

I'm sure, as time goes by, Atom will be improved so he could speak other languages (English must be the first). I wonder if they have plans to make similar project for other Astro Boy characters in the future.

Why there is "2020" on their website's address?

Posted: **Thu Feb 23, 2017 5:29 pm**

The Robi robot kit (which I'm sure that Atom was based on), was released in English (in the UK) about a year after it was introduced in Japan. Hopefully, this kit will also be released outside of Japan eventually. Since the computer running the AI is a Raspberry Pi (an open source based machine), I wouldn't be surprised if Atom's software was eventually modified by third parties to understand other languages. The RPi 3, has built in WiFi, so in theory, he could be upgraded over the internet. This is going to be a VERY interesting product for anybody that's into building robots!

I googled for "鉄腕アトム raspberry pi" and found some more information:
http://japanese.engadget.com/2017/02/22/vaio-ai-raspberry-pi-70-20/

https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://k-tai.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/1045617.html&prev=search

https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://news.mynavi.jp/articles/2017/02/23/atom/&prev=search

https://youtu.be/2akbe8tK9tg

I think his eyes can open and close.

The panel on his chest is a touch screen!

It looks like the kit series will come with a lot of "extras" such as an "Atom" desk clock, and some Uran themed items. (Cobalt?). The Robi kit came with some nice 'extras', so I'm not surprised. There was a link in one of the above links to click on to buy the kit. If the Robi videos were any example, this one should be easy to assemble (only need a screwdriver), and little need to know the language thanks to all the visual instructions. Anyone game?

Posted: **Fri Feb 24, 2017 4:33 pm**

So, when will they make a full-sized one?

Posted: **Fri Feb 24, 2017 8:37 pm**

Quoting from the website:
"Height is about 44 cm, and the weight is about 1400 g. Height is about 1/3 of the actual Atom. "
Which makes Atom's height 132cm or about 4.33 feet tall. (Weight won't scale linearly).

"A 2.3-inch liquid crystal display that supports touch operation on the chest is mounted, and you can display picture book contents, radio exercises, YouTube videos."

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AI-equipped Astro Boy robot to be sold in Japan

AI-equipped Astro Boy robot to be sold in Japan