The Kobian is a Humanoid robot developed by Waseda University (Japan), launched 2007. Key specifications: form factor full bipedal, height 140 cm, weight 62 kg, mobility bipedal.
RoboScore
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Weighted factors
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Not in the Humanoid standing. The standings cover robots first sold from 2020 onward, and this one launched in 2007. Its Robo Score above is unaffected — the score is the evidence, the standing is only who it is listed against.
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Overview
Kobian is a humanoid robot designed to study human-robot interaction through expressive facial expressions and body postures. It can display six different emotional states including happiness, fear, surprise, sadness, anger, and disgust. The robot combines an advanced WE series expressive head with Wabian biped humanoid legs, featuring a double-jointed neck for more expressive postures and sophisticated emotional communication capabilities.
Flagship features
- Developed under the strategic project of advanced robotics technology by NEDO
- Supported by the Humanoid Research Institute (HRI) at Waseda University and other organizations
- Equipped with facial expression mechanisms using SEPTON and force sensors
- Utilizes DC servo motors and Li-ion batteries for actuation
- Controlled by a computer with CPU: Pentium M 1.6GHz, RAM: 2GB, OS: QNX Neutrino 6.3.0
Buyer decision signals
Viability
KOBIAN introduced as an emotional humanoid robot
Price
Published figures are build cost or program budget, not a purchase price
Specifications
Category: Humanoid- Form factor
- full bipedal
- Height
- 140 cm
- Weight
- 62 kg
- Mobility
- bipedal
- Walking speed
- 0.5 m/s
- Total DOF
- 65
- DOF / arm
- 7
- DOF / hand
- 4
- Battery
- 0.33 h
- Hot-swap battery
- No
- Onboard compute
- QNX real-time OS
- Sensors
- Cameras, Microphone, IMU
- LiDAR
- No
- F/T sensors
- Yes
- VLM on-board
- No
- Imitation learning
- No
- Bimanual
- Yes
- Stair climbing
- No
- Terrain
- flat indoor
- Programming
- custom control and behavior software
- ROS 1
- No
- ROS 2
- No
- API / SDK
- No
- SDK languages
- QNX
- Maturity
- research
- Environments
- laboratory
- Industries
- research
Company profile
- Founded
- 2000
Detailed specifications
What it is built for2
- Applications
- emotion expression,culture-specific greetings,human-like speech simulation,robot comedian
- Sub Category
- bipedal
Size & capacity1
- Height Mm
- 1470
Movement & precision2
- Dof
- 65
- Max Speed M S
- 0.5
Controls & integration1
- Software Platform
- QNX real-time OS and custom control and behavior software
Company milestones
- May 2009MilestoneKOBIAN introduced as an emotional humanoid robot
- Oct 2008MilestoneWF-4RIV development paper presented
- 2009MilestoneMusical robots perform duets
- 2009MilestonePlanned future use in care settings
- 2009LaunchDevelopment of Waseda Flutist Robot WF-4RVI
- 2009DeploymentWaseda flute robot joined duet performance
- 2009LaunchDevelopment of Waseda Flutist Robot WF-4RV
- 2008DeploymentWF-4RVI presented at BioRob 2008
Compare with peers
More by Waseda University
Frequently asked questions
- Who makes the Kobian?
- The Kobian is developed by Waseda University, based in Japan.
- What type of robot is the Kobian?
- The Kobian is a Humanoid robot made by Waseda University.
- How much does the Kobian cost?
- Pricing for the Kobian is not publicly listed — contact Waseda University for a quote.
- When was the Kobian launched?
- The Kobian was launched in 2007.
- What are the key specifications of the Kobian?
- Key specifications of the Kobian: form factor full bipedal, height 140 cm, weight 62 kg, mobility bipedal, walking speed 0.5 m/s.
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