With the emergence of a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation, intelligent manufacturing is becoming an important direction and competitive high ground for global manufacturing transformation. Major manufacturing countries are vigorously promoting relevant strategies and policies for intelligent manufacturing, seizing the high ground of the new round of industrial development. Based on the field of manufacturing and serving the development of the industry, Advanced Manufacturing All Media will launch the “2017 Intelligent Manufacturing World Tour” series of articles to sort out and summarize the major issues of major intelligent manufacturing countries and regions in 2017. Today we are introducing the Japanese robot chapter.
As a robotics powerhouse, Japan has achieved rich results in 2017 and is closely integrated with its national conditions. Based on the serious aging population, low fertility intentions, labor shortages, and frequent earthquake disasters, Japan has focused on the research and development of medical and care robots, industrial robots, and rescue robots.
In April 2017, Japanese medical venture capital firm Tmsuk R&D Inc. partnered with Tottori University Hospital to develop a 3D printed simulation robot called Mikoto, specifically designed to help train young doctors, medical students, and emergency responders. Students can learn and explore by performing simulated surgeries on robots, improve their practical skills, and ensure the safety of patients’ lives.
In May, Tokyo Institute of Technology in Japan developed a lightweight quadruped robot capable of carrying heavy objects. The steel wires at the joints of the robot are made of chemical fibers, which can achieve lightweight and high power of the machine, with an output power three times that of robots of the same weight. On the rugged roads of disaster sites such as collapsed houses, the machine can walk freely, helping to transport rescue supplies and search for trapped people. The research team will further improve the invention and put it into practical application as soon as possible.
In June, a research team from Tohoku University in Japan developed a snake like robot with air jet function, which can lift its “body” by spraying air downwards when encountering obstacles. According to researchers, this is the world’s first snake like robot with air jet function, which can perform tasks such as entering collapsed buildings to search for victims.
In July, Japanese robot development startup ZMP released a delivery robot called CarriRo · Delivery. It is like a large box with wheels, equipped with a delivery box, which recognizes the surrounding environment through cameras and radar while driving, and delivers the goods to the customer’s doorstep. CarriRo can carry up to 100 kilograms of items, and ZMP plans to use it to deliver food that is difficult for small drones to transport.
In July of the same year, the JEM Internal Ball photography 3D printing robot jointly developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and the University of Tokyo was sent to the International Space Station for testing related technological applications. Quickly, it returned the first captured image and the first video. The deployment of this robot can alleviate the work pressure of astronauts in filming.
In August, automotive giant Honda launched its latest version of the ASIMO robot, with the biggest highlight being the breakthrough in hand movements. ASIMO has 13 free movement axes for each hand, making it a qualified sign language performer. Meanwhile, Honda has also made improvements to the lower limbs of the ASIMO, giving it better balance and the ability to climb stairs faster and more smoothly. Overall, ASIMO is now capable of performing many tasks similar to human activities, and Honda’s ultimate goal is to bring it into mainstream households and take on daily tasks such as caring for infants, the elderly, disabled, and patients, truly becoming a good helper at home.
In September, Global Bridge Holdings, a start-up company based in Tokyo, began testing a new service to address the shortage of kindergarten labor in Japan. The service utilizes the bear shaped robot Vevo and sensors to share the workload of kindergarten teachers. Robots can recognize children, greet them, and help them take their temperature. During nap time, sensors built into the crib can monitor heart rate and body movements to determine if the child is still breathing. If an abnormal situation is detected, the alarm system will immediately notify the teacher.
As a robotics powerhouse, Japan has achieved rich results in 2017 and is closely integrated with its national conditions. Based on the serious aging population, low fertility intentions, labor shortages, and frequent earthquake disasters, Japan has focused on the research and development of medical and care robots, industrial robots, and rescue robots. In the next article, we will turn our attention to the drone industry and see what progress Japan has made in this area.
November 11, 2021
