SoftBank Robotics NAO — Specs & Review
Specifications
| Brand | SoftBank Robotics |
|---|---|
| Model | NAO |
| Year | 2008 |
| Category | Elderly Care, Educational, Social Service |
| Autonomy | programmable |
| Environment | indoor |
| Price (USD) | $9000–$10000 |
| Weight | 5.4 kg |
| Dimensions | 16cm L × 27cm W × 58cm H |
| Connectivity | WiFi, Ethernet, Bluetooth |
| Country of origin | FR |
Key features
- 25 degrees of freedom
- Dual 5-megapixel cameras
- Four omnidirectional microphones
- Tactile sensors
- Intel Atom E3845 processor
- 60–90 minutes battery life
- Programmable via NAOqi OS
- Supports Python, C++, JavaScript
What is it?
SoftBank Robotics NAO is a 58 cm tall, programmable humanoid robot designed for education, research, and social care applications. Since its launch in 2008, NAO has become one of the most widely deployed humanoid robots globally, with over 13,000 units operating in more than 70 countries. (realrobots.io)
Who is it for?
NAO is primarily intended for:
- Educational Institutions: Serving as a platform for teaching STEM concepts and programming.
- Researchers: Utilized in human-robot interaction studies and robotics research.
- Social Care Providers: Employed in therapeutic settings, particularly for children with special needs.
Key specs
- Height: 58 cm
- Weight: 5.48 kg
- Degrees of Freedom: 25
- Processor: Intel Atom E3845 Quad-Core @ 1.91 GHz
- RAM: 4 GB DDR3
- Storage: 32 GB SSD
- Battery Life: Up to 90 minutes
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n), Ethernet
- Sensors:
- Dual 5 MP cameras
- Four omnidirectional microphones
- Sonar rangefinders
- Inertial measurement unit (accelerometer and gyroscope)
How it compares
When compared to competitors, NAO offers a balance of performance and affordability:
- Unitree Robotics: Offers advanced quadruped robots at prices up to ten times lower than Western rivals. (lemonde.fr)
- Aldebaran Robotics: Developed NAO, which has become the standard platform for robotics education from elementary through university levels. (realrobots.io)
While NAO is a versatile and widely used humanoid robot, its competitors may offer more specialized features or lower prices, depending on specific application needs.
Limitations
- Mobility: NAO's walking speed is up to 0.4 m/s, which may be slower compared to some competitors.
- Battery Life: Operating time ranges from 60 to 90 minutes, which may be limiting for extended sessions.
- Cost: Priced around $9,000, it may be considered expensive for some educational institutions or research organizations.
These factors should be considered when evaluating NAO for specific applications.
FAQ
What is the price range of the SoftBank Robotics NAO robot?
The NAO robot is priced between $7,500 and $14,000, depending on the model and configuration. ([awesomerobots.xyz](https://www.awesomerobots.xyz/robots/softbank-nao?utm_source=openai))
How long does the NAO robot's battery last?
The NAO robot's battery provides 60 to 90 minutes of operation, depending on usage and configuration. ([aiwiki.ai](https://aiwiki.ai/wiki/softbank_robotics_nao?utm_source=openai))
What programming languages can be used to program the NAO robot?
The NAO robot can be programmed using Python, C++, and JavaScript through the NAOqi OS. ([aiwiki.ai](https://aiwiki.ai/wiki/softbank_robotics_nao?utm_source=openai))
In which countries is the NAO robot deployed?
The NAO robot has been deployed in over 70 countries worldwide, with more than 13,000 units in use. ([humanoidindex.org](https://humanoidindex.org/robots/nao?utm_source=openai))
What are the primary applications of the NAO robot?
The NAO robot is primarily used in education, research, and social care applications, serving as a platform for teaching STEM concepts and conducting human-robot interaction studies. ([humanoidindex.org](https://humanoidindex.org/robots/nao?utm_source=openai))