MSTC (Manufacturing Science and Technology Center) is engaged in the following project that aims to develop the two types of robots for non-manufacturing :
(1) A robot system for supporting at the nuclear disaster
This robot system was developed on the occasion of the JCO accident to execute countermeasures against calamities in place of people by means of remote control. This system consists of two “monitoring/surveying robots” that observe the situation of a disaster and work, three “light/medium/heavy work robots” that execute counter-measures at a disaster, one “heavy weight carrier robot”, and the each remote control device. It is designed to make each robot collaborate on work under the critical situation such as the narrow space in nuclear facilities in addition to the high level radiation at the stricken area.
It is desirable that nuclear disasters will never occur, however, people would be relieved if such kind of robots hurry to the scene of the accident.
(2) Development of a human-friendly humanoid robot
This project is to research how the biped robot system work in the actual scene. For two years since 1998, the base research called “platform” (the main body of a robot and its remote control device) had been developed. A three-year research plan to apply its work started in the 2000 fiscal year.
The main body of the robot was based on and revised a humanoid robot made by Honda (P 3). Its remote control device was developed to operate with high presence as if a person were inside of a robot. Five kinds of application of this robot are chosen to be developed for carrying out dangerous work or what robots can do instead of men : “Plant Facility Maintenance”, “Care Service”, “Operating Industrial Vehicles”, “Management of Buildings and Homes” and “Cooperative Outside Work”.
All of people concerned are tackling the development to realize a dream-like humanoid robot that can cooperate and coexist with human beings.
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