Compact robot face with simple mechanical components

We are developing a robotic face which may be utilized to assist patients in various health care applications. For example, a system which can monitor whether the patient has conformed to their scheduled medication regimen, and prompts patients when and how much to take their next scheduled dosage. Health care data for patients using the system is stored in a computer which determines the actions of the robotic system. The system informs the patient of the times it is necessary for them to consume their medicine and alerts them if they fail to follow their schedule. The robotic system communicates with patients using facial expressions, a voice communication system and a computer monitor. A robot face was designed using simple mechanisms in order to achieve a low cost system. We have designed four robot faces. The first two models were relatively large (30 cm × 30 cm × 30 cm) using LEGO MINDSTORMS components and DC motors. The third and fourth models were smaller (12 cm × 12 cm × 3 cm) because we used BioMetal Helix components from the TOKI Corporation. The fourth is an improved model of the third. In this paper, we will explain the design of this fourth model.