Unveiling of NAO Evolution: A Stronger Robot and a More Comprehensive Operating System

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June 20, 2014
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Unveiling of NAO Evolution: A Stronger Robot and a More Comprehensive Operating System

PARIS, June 20, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

    ALDEBARAN is announcing the launch of NAO EVOLUTION, the new generation of its NAO
robot, equipped with the NAOqi 2.0(TM) operating system.

    Aldebaran, the global leader in humanoid robotics, is pleased to announce the launch
of NAO EVOLUTION, the 5th and latest generation of NAO, the interactive, autonomous, and
fully programmable robot. NAO is already being used for specific research and education
purposes. Over 5000 robots are currently operating in 70 countries. With its new
functionality, NAO EVOLUTION is the next big step for the development of innovative
applications for a broad range of companies and content publishers.

    Please click on this link to go to the Multimedia News Release:
http://www.multivu.com/mnr/71400559-lancement-de-nao-evolution

    NAO EVOLUTION has the most up-to-date operating system, NAOqi 2.0, now being used by
all of the company's robots, including the emotional robot Pepper. Designed for easy
natural voice interaction, the NAOqi environment includes a dialogue engine, an emotional
engine, and Autonomous Life- the system giving NAO. All robots designed by Aldebaran share
the same technologies and operating system, enabling the transfer applications from one
robot to another with a minimum amount of adaptation. In this sense, Aldebaran has
succeeded in the challenge of creating a unique "platform" available in several humanoid
forms and benefiting from the same advanced software.

    NAO EVOLUTION also has improved functionality for easy interaction between humans and
the robot and allowing developers to program complex sequences themselves:

       
        - Improved shape and facial detection and recognition using new algorithms
        - Improved sound source location using 4 directional microphones
        - Refined obstacle detection and distance estimation with a detection range from
          1 cm (0.39 inches) to 3 m (9.8 feet) using new sonar telemeters
        - More powerful battery: 48.6 watt-hours, giving NAO EVOLUTION about 1 h 30 min
          of battery life in operational mode, i.e. 30% more than the previous generation.

    Although NAO EVOLUTION is the same size as before (height: 58 cm, 1.9 feet), it is
now:

       
        - Stronger, with metal gears in the neck, hips, legs, and ankles.
        - Quieter, with soles that dampen the noise and friction of its footsteps.
        - More skillful, grasping objects more easily using finger grips.

    "This new phase is fully in line with our vision of eventually offering the greatest
possible number of humanoid robots for a variety of purposes" says Bruno Maisonnier,
founder and CEO of Aldebaran. "Apart from schools and universities, we would like
companies and the developer community to get hold of our robots and create applications
that will ensure the success of NAO in the future."

    Now available, NAO EVOLUTION will be marketed at the following prices (not including
VAT) by region: Europe: 4,690 EUR - Asia-Pacific: 7,000 EUR - North and South America:
7,990 USD.

    These packages include a full range of software and services and 1 to 3 years of
after-sales servicing and warranties.

    Aldebaran, the names and logos of NAO, Pepper and NAOqi are designated trademarks of
Aldebaran in France and in other countries.

    About Aldebaran

    Established in 2005 by Bruno Maisonnier and with offices in France, China, Japan, and
the United States, Aldebaran designs, manufactures and sells autonomous humanoid robots to
contribute to human well-being. More than 5,000 NAOs, our first product, are used today as
a research and education platform in 70 countries around the world. Aldebaran has 500
employees involved in robot development and manufacture. Aldebaran is a SoftBank Group
company, holding 78.5% of its own capital.

    Further information: http://www.aldebaran.com

    Or follow us on:

    https://www.facebook.com/AldebaranRobotics

    twitter.com/aldebaran_news [https://twitter.com/aldebaran_news ]

    http://www.youtube.com/user/AldebaranRobotics

    Video:
    http://www.multivu.com/mnr/71400559-lancement-de-nao-evolution

Video:http://www.multivu.com/mnr/71400559-lancement-de-nao-evolution
Aldebaran Robotics

CONTACT: Europe/Middle East/Africa: Marine Fabre & Béatrice Germain, press@aldebaran.com, Tel: +33-177-371-797; America: Alia Pyros, apyros@aldebaran.com, Tel: +1-617-986-6700; Japan: Keiko Kurihara, kkurihara@aldebaran.com, Tel: +81-3-5733-4328; Asia: Fairy Cao, fcao@aldebaran.com, Tel: +86-21-6135-8998 *117/+86-138-1689-0016

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