Welcome to the Tokyo International Exhibition Centre
also known as Tokyo big sight
The glass and titanium panel convention center on Tokyo Bay
will be a main venue for the 2020 summer Olympics
but today, it's been taken over by robots
Robots, robots, robots...
There is flying robots
walking robots
rolling robots
there is a robot for almost any situation
we're here at Japan Robot Week 2014
where there are a lot of robots specific to Japan
Japan has a lot of natural disasters like
cunami, earthquakes and floods
and these robots can go to places where humans can not
there is always a lot of robots designed to help the elderly.
Japan has, of course, an aging population
I think my favourite is the X's skeleton. I got to try that one out!
Those look really cool
Why don't we split up and see what we can find
Readable 3: Automatic page turner
Wow, very cool!
The robotic solution to a very analogue problem of not being able to turn pages yourself
Many of the robots here have been designed for the elderly and disabled
and yes!
thet can be cute!
This demo robot from Kawada Industries comes from Tech already used in factories
He? She? or it!
The Nextage Cafe Robot can take orders via touch panel
1.) Order 2.) press Start
and the robot goes to work
the purpose is not to replace labour but give support during labour shortages
so don't worry about your barista job, just yet
this robot draws a crowd
it's a glimpse into the future
lights with sensors work as robot's eyes and touch
robots are part of Japan's plan for the future
with the declining birth rate and aging population
robotic technology is seen as a positive supporting role among people
it's been like this in Manga and Anime for the last 15 years
Careful with that coffee! It's hot!
Sometimes there are mishaps
Imagine if that was a basket of eggs
Mad chicken in every sandwich wrap
Barista is everywhere. Feeling good again!
During my walk about I stumbled upon toy-maker TAKARA TOMY's new robot
Robi Jr. / Humanoid robot 15,000 yen
The company provided me with my first robot in 1980's
ARMTRON
and OMNIBOT
But today, there is ROBI
What makes this little guy special?
An ability to communicate
"Oh sure, talk all you want!"
These kinds of robots are great company for elderly
who are home alone.
Or those stuck at home on a Friday night after a bad break up
"Hope you have a pleasant dream!"
Thanks little buddy!
Then, there is NEDO
Funded by the government to address energy and global environmental problems
as well as enhancing industrial tech
These robots in action are keeping us safer in Japan
So this robot is really unique
it can scale walls using suction cups
It goes up and analyzes whether are weak points in something like a pilon
Really high places
Takes that data and transmits it back to workers
who can repair and fortify those weak points
so things don't collapse
when there is an earthquake
Spiderman's got to be impressed!
This is a drone that's able to fly into the air
using camera and sensors
it can assess a situation
in a wade scale.
Take that data, transmit it to Emergency, and relief workers
an be able to
do a rescue plan much more quickly
and efficiently than ever before
This machine, here
has the ability to go underwater
And the purpose, again, is to assess the stability
of infrastructure, like dams.
Finding weak spots
and, again, transmitting that data
back to workers, where they can repair
or fortify
For this was used in the Fukushima reactor
to go in there and assess
where some of leakages were
It's got a camera and a heat sensor
and the ability to go through really
rugged situations
This robot went into Daiichi reactor
opening doors and climbing over debris
giving the first reports of the situation
Robots are nothing we should fear
I believe robotics supports
and enriches people's lives,
making them better.
With new technology
there may be small risks
but if people can allow that,
we can open new frontiers together.
We believe that
sending out this kind of message
is NEDO's mission.
Now onto X's skeletons
Humans fusing with machines?
Air propulsion
Futuristic jet packs
rubberized weapons?!!
Well, not exactly
Joseph and I had to try out the wearable tech
MUSCLE SUITS!
at the INNOPHYS TOKYO University of Science booths
pressurized air bursts
can be controlled to contract
and to expend
with the metal frame
making artificial muscle actions
You can be just like a comic book superhero
Could we lift 20 kilos?
without any effort at all?
This is easy!!
This muscle suits are super cool
but more importantly
they are becaming super helpful
for the elderly and disabled
How long before we see people walking with them on the street?
And will those people be wearing a cape and mask?
In Japan
anything is possible.
This is PARO
a therapeutic robot
built to provide company
to the lonely.
Many senior citizens are home alone
and this kind of robot is a way to curb depression
I'm not lonely, nor too old, but... you know what?
I want one!
So this robot is called PARO
"Paro the seal"
"Such a cutie!"
So this... has got sensors built in, all over its body
so it can sense when you're stroking it
when you touch its little whiskers
oh, does that tickle?
Did you know that Paro actually has a Guinness world record, too
Really?!! What was its record holder for ?
The most therapeutic robot
Oh!... You know I think that is very true.
Paro has proven to liven the spirits of people on long hospital stays
as well as kids with autism
The way it moves
closes an open its eyes
seems very life-like
So cute!
You can charge Paro with its electric pacifier
stick it in its mouth and let the little one
have a meal and a power-nap for a while.
Like with all furry pets you hold,
shedding remains a sticking point
In our episode, last time,
we met with Japan's most well known
humanoid robot: ASIMO
Free demo shows are available daily
at the Honda Welcome Plaza in Tokyo
You can see this tech in action all year round
Let's meet the newest robot in town
PEPPER
Brought to market by japanese mobile phone carrier: SOFTBANK
"Hello everyone. My name is Pepper."
Pepper's actions are all programmed by software
that is available to any developer
That's right!
You can soon have the ability to programme Pepper
the way you want to,
or buy apps pre-programmed by others.
Assisting, guiding,
entertaining,
Pepper can do it all
This artist programme for Pepper was made a week before the EXPO
Hey!...
You did it!
That's pretty good!
Not bad, eh?
IBM's game show genius server WATSON is also here
---"What would you like to ask me?"
Q: "What is the tallest mountain in Japan?"
Watson is powering this Pepper from Texas
A:"Mount Fuji"
Q:"Who was the first person to perform open heart surgery in South Africa?"
Christiaan Barnard
I didn't know that one!
The software robotics behind Pepper
was developed by Frech company
Aldebaran Robotics
Pepper has all sorts of sensors
cameras, and communication tools
open for creative programming
Dr. Angelica Lim explains why this is so exciting:
---"From now, artists, creatives..
...sales people, even
they are making robot applications.
Now anyone can become a robot creator
Where there used to be a lot of a bunch of scientist
Now, anyone can do it.
And that's why we see people like
comedians, are making applications on a robot.
So, this is a whole new paradigme
and everyone can contribute to that."
Here is NAO!
ALDEBARAN ROBOTICS is famous
for bringing this little one to life.
NAO has been around for a few years
and apart from other unique features,
makes the perfect dance partner
Especially for people who should stay off the dance floor
NAO's movements are just so full
of uncontained awesomeness
Yes! The robot world in Japan is rocking right now!
Helping people, saving the world.
Get ready for the techno-waves from the Rising Sun to hit your town, soon.
Robots in Japan have come a long way.
Go ahead,
take a bow!