Hi-Tech Robot's in japan

Sun, 11 Jun 2006 17:01:16 GMT

GO on Japan u rock

In the technology area there are three focus points: Japanese automotive and information technology and Japanese consumer electronics. All those areas are currently developing on a very fast and highly interesting track.

there are 5 years in front of all the world in tech

Japanese robot venture Vstone's new humanoid robot "VisiON Nexta", 47.5cm in height and 3.1kg in weight, shows its abitity to kick a ball during a press preview in Tokyo 27 June 2005 on the upcoming RoboCup 2005 which will be held in Osaka in July. Over 400 teams from 35 countries will compete at the RoboCup, robot's world cup soccer tournament. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

Honda robot serves tea

Tokyo
December 14, 2005 - 11:37AM

Asimo walks with a Honda employee at the company's headquarters in Tokyo. Photo: AFP

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A walking, childlike robot from Honda Motor can now serve tea, push a mail cart and gallop along at twice its previous pace - the latest in the Japanese automaker's quest to replicate human movement.
The 51-inch-tall (129.54cm), bubble-headed robot named Asimo has already shown it can jog, walk up stairs, wave, avoid obstacles and carry on simple conversations.
But in a demonstration on Tuesday at Honda's Tokyo head office, a new version of the robot showed off new skills its maker hopes will make it more handy around the office.
Honda illustrated how Asimo might serve as a receptionist of the future. Equipped with a sensor that can read microchips in identification cards, the robot recognised a woman approaching from behind, and turned to greet her by name.
It then demonstrated further potential as a host by taking a tray of coffee cups from the woman with its own hands and carrying it to a nearby table where it set the tray down for imaginary guests. It also pushed a four-wheeled cart around on stage.

Later, Asimo - whose name is a play on the Japanese word for "leg" or "ashi" - sprinted back and forth for reporters at 4 miles per hour (6.43 kmph), double its previous gait of 2 mph. The new technique demonstrated improved balancing technology because both the robot's feet were airborne at the same time in mid-stride, Honda said.

(Kyodo) _ Japan's industry ministry

plans to compile safety guidelines for next-generation robots as they will be providing services in the future in areas like nursing, security and cleaning, ministry officials said Saturday.

The guidelines will require manufacturers to install enough sensors to minimize the risk of the robots running into people and use soft and light materials so they do not cause harm if they do so, the officials said.

They will also be required to install emergency shut-off buttons, they said.

Calls have been mounting for safety guidelines on the next-generation robots as they may be used for various purposes because of possible labor shortage due to Japan's sharp population decline.

While safety guidelines are set under the Occupation Health and Safety Law for the current generation of robots, which are typically used on factory production lines, there is the opinion that different guidelines are necessary for the advanced models.

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry plans to complete the guidelines by the end of the year, the officials said.

It expects robot makers will develop specifications under the guidelines through consultations with users at hospitals, event sites and other areas, they added.

The ministry will also consider establishing an independent organization to conduct safety tests on robots and legal systems to provide insurance in case of accidents.

Moves to set up safety guidelines for advanced robots are currently being undertaken in countries such as the United States, Europe and South Korea.

There are also efforts under way to create global guidelines. The ministry plans to have its measures reflect the global standards, the officials said.

more pic below

The Healthiest Country

Sat, 25 Mar 2006 00:05:47 GMT

There is a land where women live longer than everyone else on earth.
it is a place where obesity is the lowest in the developed world.
where forty-year-old women look like they are twenty.
it is a land where women enjoy some of the worlds most deliicious food,
yet they have obesity rates of only 3 per cent-
less than one-third that of french women ... and less than one-tenth that of american women.
it is a country of women obsessed with enjoying life - and mastering the art of healthy eating.
it is a industrialised nation that is the second-largest ecomomic power in the world.
the country is japan.

for more info where i got this info is on my fave book Japanese Women Dont Get Old or Fat from Naomi Moriyama

http://www.japanesewomendontgetoldorfat.com/

Wasy-Kun's Japan: Japan

Hi-Tech Robot's in japan

Honda robot serves tea

The Healthiest Country