Tokyo International 2009 Robot Exhibition

A robot that builds Lego models is among the attractions at this year's International Robot Exhibition that got underway on Wednesday in Tokyo. Robots that can gently pick-up objects were also on display and university researchers showed a robotic wheelchair that turns based on shifts in body weight.

A robot that builds Lego models is among the attractions at this year’s International Robot exhibition that got under way on Wednesday in Tokyo. The RV2SQ from Mitsubishi is the most Compaq robot yet in the company’s Melfa series. It has 6 joints and can lift up to two kilograms with its arms. Of course the robot isn’t designed to build Lego models, Mitsubishi is using the children’s box to demonstrate how two of the robots can work together with precision and close proximity. The RV2SQ is designed for small workshops and in small size electrical and electronic assembly operations, where space is sometimes limited. It went on sale on Japan on October 5th and cost 1.75 million yen, that’s just under 20,000 US dollars. Robot arms with the ability to pick up fragile items were also a theme, this one from Denso has a realistic human hand, and can pick up pieces of cake without crushing them. The secret to its gentle touch is this small actuators that are built in to the hand to allow for precision control with a grip. And this one from Toyota industries can grab and place items on a tray including hard products like cans and soft packages like this onigideon ice ball. Robots from universities and research labs also make an appearance, like this prototype robotic wheelchair from the University of Tokyo, sensor pads in the footrest, seat and seat back allow the user to control movement of the chair by shifting their body weight, no joystick or buttons are required. And this robot from Shiswaka university uses projectors to display basic controls immediately in front and behind the device. Stopping and starting and changing direction is as easy as hitting the relevant control with a foot. The exhibition which is open until Saturday is a bi annual showcase for Japan’s industrial and service robot sector. Japan produce 6 billion dollars worth of robots last year at which around two thirds were exported. At the International Robot exhibition in Tokyo, this is Martin Williams, IDG News Service.