GEMINI TM The Autonomous Robot by Arctec Systems - The Gemini is the self-navigating, self-charging, multiple-processor-based, life size robot with built-in artificial intelligence operating system, speech recognition, speech synthesis, environmental sensors and a computer controlled propulsion system. The Gemini represented a breakthrough in 80's robotics, and has two types of sensor systems, nine Polaroid ultrasonic sonars and contact bumpers monitored by the propulsion computer. Intelligence was provided by its three on-board computers. One was for the artificial intelligence, one for voice/speech recognition and speech synthesis/text-to-speech, and the other for propulsion control. All computers were CMOS chip devices. Speech recognition and text-to-speech are products which enabled the Gemini to respond to voice commands. Coded infrared room beacons supplemented navigation. The robot is able to see the infrared beacons and interpret the code to determine its location. A scheduler interface was provided to schedule tasks for the robot. This was accessed with the internal keyboard and onboard display provided with the robot. The emini supported a radio-frequency link to a desktop unit.
Specifications Hardware
Autonomous operation, self navigating, self charging
48 inches high, 20 inches in diameter, 70 pounds
9 ultrasonic collision avoidance and navigation sensors
Three on-board computers (all high-speed CMOS Rockwell 65C02's)
Main computer-64K ROM, 56K RAM
Voice Input/Output and Sound computer-24K ROM, 16K RAM
Propulsion Control computer-2K ROM, 2K RAM
Full size, cordless, detachable keyboard with 6303 CMOS microcomputer (2K ROM) carried by robot
Remote Communication computer-8K ROM, 32K RAM (optional)
40-character by 8-line low-power alphanumeric liquid crystal display
Light, sound, temperature and battery voltage sensors; barometric pressure and smoke sensors optional
16-channel, 8-bit CMOS analog to digital converter
Real time clock, RS232 port, Centronics printer port, hardware random number generator
Four peripheral expansion ports using bus structure similar to Apple
Convenient joystick controller
Low power WAFER (endless tape) or 3 1/2-inch floppy DISK drive (both optional)
Charger- self charging type, anti-static mat
Software
100K integrated artificial intelligence operating system
Automatic self-checking and diagnostics on power-up
Extensive built-in DEMO program-pushbutton operation
Multiple user, 256-word voice recognition system with adaptive learning ability
Integrated VOICE COMMAND LANGUAGE (VOCOL)-optional
Advanced, easy to use task SCHEDULER program
User-configurable security guard program (optional)
Third generation unlimited vocabulary speech synthesizer with text-to-speech software
Full floating Doint BASIC with robot control commands (optional)
Documentation
Users' Manual including a section on the extended BASIC language.
Technical Reference Manual contains schematics and listings
Young User's Manual includes many experiments and games
