Future Inventor Chizuru Mizuno Visits Luceo! ~Approaching the Dream of the “Classroom Cat Robot”~
■ Introduction
Recently, young inventor Chizuru Mizuno, a second-grade student at Shimoakatsuka Elementary School (at the time of the announcement), visited Luceo for a tour of the company. Mizuno is the creator of the “Classroom Cat Robot,” which won the Grand Prize at the 5th Itabashi Future Inventor Contest. Her eyes lit up with curiosity about polarizing plates throughout her tour of our showroom and factory.
■ What is the Itabashi Future Inventor Contest?
Itabashi Ward holds this annual contest to improve children’s ideas, imagination, and ability to formulate and explain ideas, as well as to foster interest in manufacturing through interactions with industry professionals.
■ “Classroom Cat Robot”
Mizuno’s “Classroom Cat Robot” is a robot designed to brighten the classroom atmosphere by cutely admonishing students for being quiet during class. Its compact size, sitting 120cm tall and 30cm wide, communicates with students via a monitor displaying facial expressions (including winks) and foreign languages (English and Chinese). Its most distinctive feature is its “sound-detecting sensor” that uses multiple microphones and AI to distinguish sounds. While considering installing microphones on students’ desks, a “no recording” rule will be implemented to protect their privacy. The robot’s autonomous actions, such as greeting students and mediating arguments, aim to make school a more enjoyable place.
■ Idea of Using Polarizing Plates for Robot Eyes
During the tour, the conversation was particularly lively about the potential of our company’s core product, polarizing plates. Since its founding, Luceo has been dedicated to the manufacture and sale of a variety of optical components and equipment, including polarizing plates, and has cultivated advanced technology and knowledge in the control of light. In response to the cat robot’s “displaying facial expressions on a monitor” function and its collision avoidance technology using optical sensors, Mizuno asked, “Could this polarizing plate be used as a robot’s eyes?” There was particularly lively discussion about whether it could be used to improve the accuracy of the robot’s visual sensors. Both participants expressed high hopes for the possibility that our technology could enhance the robot’s vision capabilities, making it smarter and safer.
Summary
We hope that this company tour will be a major step toward realizing Mizuno’s “classroom cat robot” and further fuel her passion for future robot development. At Luceo, we support the challenges of young talent like this and contribute to society through technology.
▶ 5th Itabashi Future Inventor Contest Grand Prize Winner: “Classroom Cat Robot”
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