Japan Robot Week event shows off robotic servants set to revolutionise the world
Nursing robots, disaster response robots and mechanical trousers among machines it is claimed will change life
HIGH-tech companies are turning out in force at an event in Japan to show off their robotic servant prototypes that are set to change the world.
The Japan Robot Week show in Tokyo is focused on so-called “service robots” that it is hoped will make life easier for humans.
Organisers said in the future, people will be able to rely on nursing robots and disaster response robots in times of emergency.
And they claim this is just the tip of the iceberg, with a whole range of mechanical helpers at our beck and call in every aspect of life.
The robotics on show look like something out of a Hollywood sci-fi film.
Some are futuristic humanoid machines that look like people, while others are bizarre accessories that can be worn.
There are also industrial tools like new breeds of mechanical arms that have the power to drive forward industry.
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And there are even robotic pets based on animals – like the Pet Robot 'Hello! Woonyan' developed by Takara Tomy – which have the advantage of not making a mess on the rug.
NEDO showed off it bizarre mechanical suit – which looks something like the self-walking trousers from Wallace and Gromit.
There were also robots for use in care homes and nursing homes, robots for education research and development – and even robots that sing and dance to entertain you.
The three-day event which began today is taking place at the Tokyo Big Sight convention and exhibition centre in the Japanese capital.
A statement from the organisers says: “In 2015, the Japanese government announced ‘Japan's Robot Strategy’, designating the subsequent five years as a term for dedicated focus on robotics innovation.
“Leading up to 2020, the government pledged to invest approximately 100billion JPY (£804.5million) in robotics-related projects, aiming to expand the service robot market to 1.4trillion JPY (£11.2billion) – about 20 times today’s market value.
“Japan Robot Week, held in biennial alternation with the International Robot Exhibition (iREX), focuses primarily on service robotics, including various related technologies and components.
“In a broad effort to stimulate business negotiations, industry cooperation, and technology exchange, this year's event features The 7th Robot Award ceremony and exhibition, joint exhibitions from universities and laboratories, and other fascinating programs related to service robots.”
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