‘Avatar’ robot made in Japan

YOKOHAMA: A Japanese-developed robot that mimics the movements of its human controller is bringing the Hollywood blockbuster “Avatar” one step closer to reality.

Users of the TELESAR V don special equipment that allows them not only to direct the actions of a remote machine, but also to see, hear and feel the same things as their doppelganger android.

“When I put on the devices and move my body, I see my hands having turned into the robot hands. When I move my head, I get a different view from the one I had before,” said researcher Sho Kamuro.

“It’s a strange experience that makes you wonder if you’ve really become a robot,” he told AFP.

Professor Susumu Tachi, who specialises in engineering and virtual reality at Keio University’s Graduate School of Media Design, said systems attached to the operator’s headgear, vest and gloves send detailed instructions to the robot, which then mimics the user’s every move.

At the same time, an array of sensors on the android relays a stream of information which is converted into sensations for the user.

The thin polyester gloves the operator wears are lined with semiconductors and tiny motors to allow the user to “feel” what the mechanical hands are touching — a smooth or a bumpy surface as well as heat and cold.

The robot’s “eyes” are actually cameras capturing images that appear on tiny video screens in front of the user’s eyes, allowing them to see in three dimensions.

Microphones on the robot pick up sounds, while its speakers allow the operator to make his voice heard by those near the machine.

The TELESAR — TELexistence Surrogate Anthropomorphic Robot — is still a far cry from the futuristic creations of James Cameron’s “Avatar”, where US soldiers are able to remotely control the genetically engineered bodies of an extra-terrestrial race they wish to subdue.

But, says Tachi, it could have much more immediate — and benign — applications, such as working in high-risk environments, for example the inside of Japan’s crippled Fukushima nuclear plant, though it is early days.

“I think further research and development could enable this to go into areas too dangerous for humans and do jobs that require human skills,” he said.

Japan’s famously advanced robot technology was found wanting during the crisis at Fukushima, where foreign expertise had to be called on for the machines that went inside reactor buildings as nuclear meltdowns began.

Tachi said a “safety myth” had grown up around atomic technology, preventing research on the kind of machines that could help in the wake of a disaster.

But he said his kind of robot technology could help with the long and difficult task of decommissioning reactors at Fukushima — a process that could take three decades.

A remote-controlled android that allows its user to experience what is happening far away may have more than just industrial applications, he added.

“This could be used to talk with your grandpa or grandma living in a remote place and deepen communications,” he said. AGENCIES

Rajeev Khandelwal to play musician in Soundtrack

He made his debut with the fast paced film Aamir that introduced a new method of story telling in Bollywood, and was recognised for his spectacular performance in the lead role, he is Rajeev Khandelwal. Now, the actor is gearing up for his next film titled Soundtrack which is said to be directed by debutant Neeraj Ghosh and produced by Saregama.

What’s interesting to know is that Rajeev, who has been getting positive feedback for his tresses, has lopped those off for his role in the film. Soundtrack is said to feature Rajeev in the avatar of a musician, and has hence forced the star to undergo an entire makeover. The film is based on the life and trials of a DJ.

Soundtrack is scheduled to go on floor in November.

James Cameron’s Avatar to re-release in a Special Edition on August 27

James Cameron’s blockbuster film Avatar is all set to re-release in a new version called Avatar: Special Edition across theatres worldwide (including India). Avatar: Special Edition will be released on August 27, in a limited engagement and exclusively in Digital 3D and IMAX 3D.

This version of Cameron’s history-making and groundbreaking epic will include more than eight minutes of new footage. Since – and largely as a result of — Avatar’s release last December, the number of available digital 3D screens has exploded, and moviegoers who missed experiencing the film in 3D will now have that opportunity.

Commented James Cameron, “Audiences repeatedly told me they wanted more of Pandora, and wished they could have stayed there longer. So we’re making that possible. Avatar: Special Edition will be exclusively in 3D, and will have eight minutes of never before seen footage, including new creatures and action scenes. Whether you already love the movie, or you’ve never seen it, with this Special Edition, you’ll be seeing it like never before.”

Commented Fox Filmed Entertainment Chairmen and CEO’s, Jim Gianopulos and Tom Rothman: “Avatar: Special Edition is especially gratifying, because not only has Avatar become one of the most beloved films in history, but after its initial theatrical release, we have been inundated with requests to re-release the film in theatres in 3D. Equally important, we’re thrilled that James Cameron is able to give audiences even more of what they loved about Avatar.”

Mr. Vijay Singh, CEO, Fox Star Studios India, said, “The re-release of Avatar along with the additional footage will enable millions of Indians to once again experience the magic of the film in 3D. And with the significant growth of 3D screens over the last 6 months, we are excited that Avatar will also reach out to new audiences in 3D across many more centres around the country”

The Oscar and Golden Globe winning epic is the highest grossing film of all time, raking in over $2.7 billion in worldwide box office. It is also the top-selling Blu-ray disc of all time.

With the film now coming out in a special edition, it’s quite certain that fans will be more than eager to once again take a trip to Pandora.

Blockbuster 3-D Film “Avatar” Has Fans Tuning Into Real-World Research

FRANCISCO: Fascination with the blockbuster 3-D film “Avatar” has fans tuning into real-world research indicating that virtual selves can inspire people to lead better lives.

Since the release of the film, interest has surged in a Stanford University Virtual Human Interaction Lab study showing that avatars, animated versions of people, act as powerful role models.

“It is getting so hot right now,” study author Jesse Fox told AFP on Thursday. “James Camerons’s ‘Avatar’ movie is out so our website hits have just spiked.”

People immersed in virtual worlds where animated characters mirroring their true looks were shown running were more likely to play sports, run, or work out at a gym in the following 24 hours, according to the study.

Subjects that got to see their avatars loitering about were prone to imitate that behavior in the real world, the research showed.

The key to the study was using pictures of subjects to make avatars appear as much like them as possible, according to Fox.

“The more the model looks like you, the stronger the effects will be and the more likely you are to imitate it,” said the researcher, who is working on a doctorate at Stanford.

Study participants wore specially designed helmets with view screens that gave them the illusion of being in a room with an animated version of themselves.

“If they saw a person they didn’t know, they weren’t motivated to exercise. But if they saw themselves, they exercised significantly more,” Fox said.

Men that saw their avatars grow thinner by snacking on carrots toward healthier eating, while those that watched their virtual selves gorge on candy hankered for sweet treats.

Paralleling behavior in the real world, women that saw avatars “chow down” tended to be dissuaded from eating while men ate more, according to Fox.

People were much less inclined to imitate “virtual others.”

“To some extent there is a mental meld that occurs — people seeing themselves in the avatar and taking a part of the avatar away with them,” Fox said. “It creates an instant bond that taps into something unconscious.”

Technology can be used to create virtual behavior models for people, according to the researcher, who worried about how this will play out as videogames increasingly let people personalize on-screen characters.

“If all it takes is five minutes of exposure in an immersive virtual world to one character, we really have to ask ourselves about exposures and interactions in videogames like ‘Grand Theft Auto’,” Fox said.

The videogame features scantily clad women and players get options to beat, rob, or kill prostitutes.

Protagonists in role-playing adventure videogames, however, are often heroes defying fearsome odds for a greater good such as saving the world.

Fox’s research was backed by a grant from the US National Science Foundation and the results were first published last year.

Despite the surge in interest “Avatar” has sparked in her research, Fox admitted she hasn’t seen the film.

“I have a line between my work and my play,” Fox said. “Seeing the movie is on my list of things to do when my dissertation is done.

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Blockbuster 3-D Film “Avatar” Has Fans Tuning Into Real-World Research was first posted on February 26, 2010 at 12:39 pm.

James Cameron To Pen Avatar Prequel

Los Angeles: After taking the world by storm with his 3-D magic Avatar, director James Cameron is all set to write the prequel to the film in the form of a novel.

Producer of the film Jon Landau has revealed that the Oscar-winning filmmaker will be writing a “big, epic story”, but it is not a novelisation of the movie, reported a music channel website.

“A novelisation basically retells the story of the movie. Jim wants to write a novel that is a big, epic story that fills in a lot of things,” said Landou.

The book will provide details which could not be included in the movie due to time constraint.

“(We) won’t have time to do (these stories) in the movie, or maybe in sequels. (So the novel will) give a foundation for the world. It would be something that would lead up to telling the story of the movie,” said Landou.

Although Cameron has written screenplays earlier, from the first two Terminator films to Titanic, the Avatar prequel would mark his debut as a novelist.

“I don’t think Jim has ever written a novel before, but his first step of writing a script is often in a novella format. So this is just expanding that, and I think that he’ll be very adept at it,” Landou said.

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James Cameron To Pen Avatar Prequel was first posted on February 17, 2010 at 4:27 pm.

Titanic Sinks Again

This time, the blockbuster movie is also gone down. Towards the end of the last decade, James Cameron’s epic Titanic became the most successful movie ever with global takings of $1.843billion during 31 weeks of ticket sales.
A new record is under makings Avatar – also directed by Cameron – which this week stole its crown as the all-time global box office champ, with receipts of $1.859billion in just 39 days of release.
Avatar has been able to build on their success, capitalizing on the higher ticket prices cinema chains have been charging to see it in stereoscope. Two movies doing business around $ 2billion is an astonishing achievement for the 55-year-old Canadian, and one that is unlikely to be repeated in his or our lifetimes.

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Titanic Sinks Again was first posted on January 27, 2010 at 10:10 pm.

Film ‘Avatar’ gets 8 Nomination Apiece In British film awards

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The three films are up for best [...]

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Streep Breaks Record With Win Golden Globes Seventh Time

HOLLYWOOD: Meryl Streep is the new queen of the Golden Globes as her win for best actress in a comedy or musical for “Julie & Julia” gives her seven statuettes to the half dozen owned by Jack Nicholson and Angela Lansbury.

Streep set the record for most nominations last year when her double lead actress nods for “Doubt” (drama) and “Mamma Mia!” (comedy/musical) gave her 23 in total, breaking the tie with Jack Lemmon who racked up 22 lead nods and 4 wins.

This year, she was also a double nominee bringing her total tally to 25 competing against herself in the comedy-musical actress with a bid for “It’s Complicated” as well.

From her 21 movie nominations, Streep had won five Golden Globes for her Oscar winning roles in “Kramer vs. Kramer” (supporting, 1979) and “Sophie’s Choice” (lead drama, 1982) as well as “The French Lieutenant’s Woman” (lead drama, 1981), “Adaptation” (supporting, 2002) and “The Devil Wears Prada” (lead comedy/musical, 2006). Streep’s other Golden Globe came for a small screen role lead actress in a TV movie or mini (“Angels in America,” 2004).

All of Nicholson’s six Globes and 17 nominations came for his work in the movies. He has won in all three movie acting categories: lead actor (drama) for “Chinatown” (1974), “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” (1975) and “About Schmidt” (2002), lead actor (comedy-musical) for “Prizzi’s Honor” (1985) and “As Good as It Gets” (1997), and supporting actor for “Terms of Endearment” (1983).

Lansbury won both of her supporting actress in a movie bids — “The Picture of Dorian Gray” (1945) and “The Manchurian Candidate” (1962) — and four of her 10 races for best actress in a TV drama series for “Murder She Wrote” (1984, 1986, 1989, 1991).

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Streep Breaks Record With Win Golden Globes Seventh Time was first posted on January 18, 2010 at 4:55 pm.

Avatar, Hangover Big Winners at Golden Globes

BEVERLEY HILLS, CALIFORNIA: Box office sensation Avatar was named best film drama and The Hangover claimed the top comedy trophy at the Golden Globe Awards on Sunday in Hollywood’s annual race to the Oscars.

Among actors, Sandra Bullock earned the title of best film actress in a drama for football movie The Blind Side, while Jeff Bridges was best dramatic actor for his turn as a down-and-out country singer in Crazy Heart.

Robert Downey, Jr. won the Golden Globe for best comedy actor for his turn as super sleuth Sherlock Holmes in Sherlock Holmes, and Meryl Streep was the top actress in a comedy for cooking film Julie & Julia in a show that took on a somber tone after the recent earthquake in Haiti.

The glitzy Golden Globes, one of the most-watched awards shows in Hollywood, were filled with statements of thankfulness by A-list celebrities far from the chaos of the recent disaster in Haiti. Many stars wore yellow, blue and red ribbons to show their support for victims.

Accepting her award, Streep said she had to remember “my happy movie self, in the face of everything I’m aware of in the real world.” She said her mother, now deceased, had a sense of joy that, during difficult times, taught Streep how to be grateful for success.

The Golden Globes are given out by some 90 members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association to film and television actors, directors and others, and a win here can give movies the momentum they need in Hollywood’s race for Oscars, the world’s top movie honors given out in March.

“Inglourious Basterds” star Chistoph Waltz was named best supporting actor in a film, and Mo’Nique earned best supporting film actress, going against her reputation as a comedienne and playing an abusive mother in dark drama “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire.”

Disney adventure Up won two early Golden Globes, best animated movie and original score. Avatar also earned best director for James Cameron, and corporate downsizing drama Up In the Air garnered writing honors for Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner.

Among television awards, “Mad Men,” about the lives of Madison Avenue advertising executives, claimed its third straight Golden Globe for best drama and upstart musical “Glee” was named best comedy or musical.

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Avatar, Hangover Big Winners at Golden Globes was first posted on January 18, 2010 at 5:14 pm.

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