Jogging robot sets the pace

28 Jun 2012, 9:00 am   -   Source: Shanthi Benjamin, SBS
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Researchers at RMIT University in Melbourne have created a flying robot to act as a social companion for joggers.

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It's not everyone's favourite activity, but a little droid could have you pounding the pavement.

Researchers at RMIT University in Melbourne have created the flying robot as a social companion for joggers, and it's shedding new light on the way we look at exercise and machines.

Called the ‘Joggobot’, the device flies a set pace, encouraging the jogger to keep up with it.

"We know that any physical activity can greatly benefit with doing it with other people, but what if you don't have a jogging friend?" said Florian Mueller, Director RMIT’s Exhertion Games Lab.

Researchers at the lab hope to turn jogging into a more social experience, and the inventors say users can develop a bond with the robot as well.

The flying droid communicates by reading coloured patterns on the jogger's t-shirt, information that can give insight into the ways technology can be used to encourage exercise.

While the invention isn't ready to go on the market yet, it's definitely setting the pace in exercise technology.

 

Jogging Robot

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