The Robotics Institute's Home Exploring Robot Butler, better known as HERB, is featured in a YouTube video that is part of Oreo's ongoing "Cookie vs. Creme" campaign. The video, shot Feb. 12 in the Personal Robotics Lab in Newell-Simon Hall, debuted March 8.
Carnegie Mellon has produced a "behind the scenes" video regarding HERB's video shoot for Oreo.
HERB, a two-armed, mobile robot, twists an Oreo apart and scrapes off what it terms "the precious crème" in the video, the fourth and final "Oreo Separator" machine in the online series. Sidd Srinivasa, associate professor of robotics, and Pras Velagapudi, project scientist, play prominent roles as well.
"Cookie vs. Creme" was launched with the "Whisper Fight" commercial during this year's Superbowl broadcast. Three machines were custom-made for the humorous, online "Oreo Separator" series; HERB was the only research robot re-purposed for the videos.
Normally, HERB serves as the research platform of the Personal Robotics Lab, which is directed by Srinivasa. HERB is a testbed for algorithms, software and other technology that will enable robots to perform challenging manipulation tasks in places where people live and work. It is a project of the Quality of Life Technology Center, a National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center dedicated to applying robotic and information technologies to the everyday lives of people. The center is jointly operated by Carnegie Mellon and the University of Pittsburgh.
Pras Velagapudi and HERB, behind the scenes at the video shoot
About Carnegie Mellon: Carnegie Mellon is a private research university with a
distinctive mix of programs in engineering, computer science, robotics, business,
public policy, fine arts and the humanities. More than 10,000 undergraduate and
graduate students receive an education characterized by its focus on creating
and implementing solutions for real problems, interdisciplinary collaboration,
and innovation. A small student-to-faculty ratio provides an opportunity for
close interaction between students and professors. While technology is pervasive
on its 144-acre Pittsburgh campus, Carnegie Mellon is also distinctive among
leading research universities for the world-renowned programs in its College of
Fine Arts. A global university, Carnegie Mellon has campuses in Silicon Valley, Calif.,
and Qatar, and programs in Asia, Australia and Europe.
For more, see www.cmu.edu.
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