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[taoworm23]

Foam Latex Pleo prototype


CALEB CHUNG: Of course we could have used micro-servo motors to accomplish the motion of Pleo, but we aren’t able to use expensive motors. So we had to engineer it with a high-speed motor with high gearing and no backlash for control purposes and have it all fit within the muscle envelope of Pleo.


"We’ve learned a lot from people who have had a chance to interact with pre-release versions of Pleo. For example:
Sound is important in fostering an emotional connection to Pleo so we’re further enhancing Pleo’s audio capabilities (by upgrading the quality of the speakers, boosting the audio levels and increasing the size of the sound library).

Everyone seems to enjoy touching Pleo under his chin, so we’re adding another sensor there, bringing the total number of Pleo sensors to 35.

Look and feel are key. So, a myriad of cosmetic issues are also being tweaked. These include: pushing for the highest resolution and detail in the eyes, adding sculpted detail in many of the hard plastic parts as opposed to painted on detail and adding soft muscle-like tissue in places under the skin so Pleo feels as realistic as possible."
-Caleb Chung 2006





Notice in the three above pictures Pleo has a clear molded "nose" that houses the 2 IR less and the CMOS camera.
It also has foam padding through the body, neck and legs behind the skin.
Even Pleo’s training leaf was soft and padded.


And the final Ugobe version...


And Pleo Reborn

[taoworm23]

Other Ugobe life forms that were unrealized. ..

[PleoAibo29]

Very cool.
I saw a see-through RB at a museum once.