- Title: JAPAN: Cutting edge robots on display in Tokyo
- Date: 13th October 2008
- Summary: HONDA'S ASIMO DANCING MORE OF ASIMO DANCING
- Embargoed: 28th October 2008 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Japan
- Country: Japan
- Topics: Science / Technology,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
- Reuters ID: LVAEP78477QBD8A0UGL5ERF88DR0
- Story Text: Thousands flock to Japan's top high-tech robot exposition - Robo Japan 2008.
Thousands of Japanese flocked to the Robo Japan 2008 expo on Saturday (October 11) to be one of the first to visit the three-day-long event in Tokyo showcasing the latest in robots.
Twenty-nine companies throughout Japan participated in showing off their latest and best humanoid robots from Alsok's guard robot to Honda's dancing Asimo.
Seven different universities were also leading the pack with their human-assisting robots.
Robots in Japan are moving away from their earlier entertainment functions to more and more human-assisting functions -- some can even used as vehicles.
"We are hoping this robot will be used as a helper for the elderly carrying heavy things or as a personal mobility unit," said Takehiro Ichizawa, a 23-year-old robot engineer of Chiba Industrial University showing off his spider-like transport robot Hyperion4.
Chiba Industrial University also had another insect-like robot that could be controlled from a capsule as it crawled through tight spaces -- possibly helping in emergency rescues and disaster relief.
Another popular booth was the Tokyo University of Science booth where people were allowed to put on the "Muscle Suit" - a contraption that helped people carry heavy things.
Creators say they hope their invention will help nurses and social workers carry patients who are either unconscious or unable to walk.
Visitors to the expo said they were able to see the future of robots just around the corner here.
"I think that these robots will be more and more common eventually and help people help themselves, whether they are children or adults, and help them work or live better in their society. But I am impressed already with how far they've come already," said 74-year-old retiree Akemi Hatakeyama.
"I am not a specialist, but every time I come here, I am impressed that robots which at first used to fall over can now stand or walk straight. I hope that we will soon see more of them out in society too," added Nozomi Aoshima, a 46-year-old design office worker added. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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