ETEC 522 – May 2012

Bruno Maisonnier and Aldebaran Robotics

CEO and Founder Bruno Maisonnier of Aldebaran Robotics, has been working with the development of personal robotics for 25 years. He believes that the NAO (pronounced “now”) robot is the face of the future.

Since it’s difficult to build your own robot, Aldebarn Robotics has decided to offer the market a sufficiently performing robot, but also accessible and open so that it can serve as a platform for exploration. Nao is a 60 cm tall humanoid robot, with advanced physical and interactive abilities. Amongst other things, Nao talks, understands, sees, recognizes, avoids obstacles, picks itself up when it falls, connects to the internet via WiFi, keeps its balance, catches objects, can communicate with a TV or a hi-fi system. It’s entirely programmable which allows all of its users to devise new applications based on its overall capacity or to include Nao in a research or education program, and for professional users.

One of the most interesting things about Aldebaran is that they are working with a number of schools and researchers on ways that robots can be incorporated into different therapies. For example, Aldebaran is working with a group using robots to help autistic children. In some situations, it’s easier for autistic children to interact with robots than people due to their predictable range of responses, non-threatening appearance, and comfort with repetition. Watch this YouTube video where the founder describes the use of Nao in autistic therapy at SolidWorks World 2012:

 Maisonnier’s story goes back to a time when he describes himself as failing in school, until an electronics correspondance course got him back on track and started him off on a path to earning a degree in engineering followed be an MBA. He then worked in a software and computing services company, before progressing within a banking group as head of IT, human resources then director general. Before entering into the Aldebaran Robotics venture he was directing the Polish subsidiary of the group with more than 3500 people to manage. His ultimate goal was always to become one of the pioneers of the robotics venture, once he felt that it was the right time.

This was the case in 2004 when he left his albeit comfortable job to get involved, body and soul, in the creation of Aldebaran Robotics, which was officially formed in July 2005. At the start, he describes himself feeling literally alone, until surrounding himself with highly multi-skilled people who shared his vision for the future. It was a small team of 12 people who put together the first real prototype of Nao in December 2006.

Maisonnier is being described as the “French Bill Gates” with Educational Robotics being described as “Visionary.” A blurb from the Aldebaran Robotics website says of Educational Robotics: “Bill Gates, the Japanese Robotics Association, and the European Commission have something in common: they all believe robotics will be as important tomorrow as computers are today. This means all future engineers, scientists, and researchers in applied sciences benefit from learning about robotics.” Maisonnier says of his company: “Aldebaran Robotics was created 4 and a half years ago with an ingrained conviction in me for 25 years: the same thing is happening with robots as it did with micro computers.” If either of these comparisons holds true, Aldebaran Robotics certainly is tomorrow’s new household name in technology.

Personally, I was sold on this venture as soon as I saw the robots in action in the following TED Conference:

You can also view the features and abilities of the latest Nao robot here:

I found Maisonnier’s story truly inspirational considering he was on a path to failure, but turned his world around and reshaped his future (and potentially all of ours) by finding something he was truly interested in, and taking the steps needed to make his dream a reality.

Sources of Information:

“Interview with Bruno Maisonnier of Aldebaran Robotics.” The Robot Shop Blog. 12 May 2010. Accessed 1 June 2012. http://www.robotshop.com/blog/interview-with-bruno-maisonnier-of-aldebaran-robotics-560

Aldebaran Robotics. “Company.” Accessed 1 June 2012. http://www.aldebaran-robotics.com/en/Company/history.html