Humanoid Robots Come to Life at the Please Touch Museum

May 29, 2009 Humanoid robot Jaemi Hubo was introduced to the public at the Please Touch Museum

“Jaemi is not as advanced as a human but with the enhancements to come in the five-year plan, Jaemi will get there. For now, this humanoid is acting as a great tool in recruiting younger audiences into the fields of science and engineering. There isn’t anywhere else in the U.S. you can see this type of robot,” says Daniel Lofaro (ECE) one of the primary caretakers for Jaemi and a doctoral student.

Daniel is one of many working on humanoids. A team of researchers led by Drexel University’s Paul Oh (MEM) is collaborating with researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, Colby College, Bryn Mawr College, Virginia Tech, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Korea University and Seoul National University to add their own expertise to Jaemi. The five-year project, funded through the National Science Foundation’s Partnership for International Research and Education Program, seeks transformative models to train scientists and engineers to effectively work in global multi-disciplined design teams. In bringing the robot to the U.S., the research team has the chance to develop the computing and artificial intelligence of the robot. Daniel and Robert Ellenberg, a doctoral student in MEM and the other caretaker of manage the humanoid in Drexel’s Autonomous Systems Lab, its home in the U.S.

“We’re excited to bring this technology not only to Drexel but to the U.S. Jaemi is attracting public support for technology. We’re innovators at Drexel. Jaemi has a good home” says Robert.

In Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park on May 28, 2009. Crowds were fascinated by Jaemi’s artificial intelligence and the interactions it shared with the crowd. The robot danced, led a game of Simon Says and even exchanged greetings with audience members.

Jaemi Hubo completed tai-chi moves.


From L-r: Dr. Paul Oh, Dr. Selçuk Güçeri, Julie Mostov, Associate Vice Provost for International Programs, and Daniel Lofaro pose with Jaemi at the Please Touch Museum.


Children at the Please Touch Museum joined Jaemi in a game of Simon Says.