Toyota putting robots in the home by 2010

 

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By Reuters

Posted on 6 Dec 2007 at 12:16

Toyota aims to put its humanoid robots to practical use soon after 2010 to help people in factories, hospitals, homes and around town.

Unveiling two new robots called the "mobility robot" and the "violin-playing robot", the company announced it would be building a dedicated robot research facility and stepping up research and development, doubling the number of engineers to 200 in around three years.

In a demonstration Toyota brought out the 5 ft, two-legged violin-playing robot, which gave a brief performance from Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstance" Marches. The company plans to further advance the robot's dexterity and flexibility to enable it to use tools and assist with domestic chores and nursing and medical care. The robot now has 17 joints in both of its hands and arms.

The new "mobility robot", aimed at helping people with short-distance transport, is an intelligent wheelchair that can traverse uneven ground and obstacles, and be remotely controlled to go to a person's bedside.

The robot, which looks like a bulky high-chair on wheels, can also follow a person at a measured pace, functioning as a porter, and has wheels that swivel at an angle to keep the seat level when going over bumps or up a hill.

Toyota says it hopes to boost collaboration with academia and the government to achieve practical applications for the robots, while remaining open to cooperation with other companies in the field.