By now, you may be familiar with the InMoov robot. My first post for 3DPI detailed the work behind Gaël Langevin’s open source, 3D printed robot. With the help of the online community, Gaël’s robot has taken on a series of advanced functions and has been recreated numerous times throughout the world. Because InMoov has demonstrated how open source, 3D printable robotics can cause a piece of complex technology to proliferate across the globe, a group of philanthropists wants to harness that proliferation to help kids in need.
The Robots For Good project is seeking Makers from every neck of the woods to 3D print parts for an InMoov robot as a means of getting bed-bound kids at Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital out of their beds and into the London Zoo, virtually. While hospitalized children wear immersive VR headsets from Oculus Rift, they will, ideally, be able to control an InMoov robot as it explores the London Zoo. InMoov never quite mastered the ability to walk, so his head, torso, and arms will be mounted to the product of another open source project called OpenWheels. Together with this Segway-inspired DIY vehicle, it may be possible for sick kids to tour the world outside of their hospital walls.
The project has only just launched, but, in 12 months, Robots For Good hopes to have one InMoov Explorer built and donated to the hospital. Because InMoov and OpenWheels are both open source, the non-profit hopes to have Makers from all over print the components to build the device, particularly schools interested in a unique STEM activity. All of the files can be found on the open source community site Wevolver. There, you’ll also find others working on the InMoov Explorer project so that you can host your very own build party together. Then, in 12 months time, you can see that you were a part of this crowdsourced, open source project for a good cause.
The InMoov Explorer opens up possibilities with reaches beyond Robots For Good. Similar open source projects could also be pursued for telemedicine, bringing expert doctors to patients in third world countries, or teleconferencing. Virtual journalism and tourism may even be a possibility, with an InMoov touring the streets of Budapest while you sit comfortably at home.
