4 ms·

Wait, why is a US company is sending Japan robots? Aren't the Japanese decades ahead of everybody else on robotics?

by rilindo 16y ago

Estragon 16y ago
Not when it comes to hostile environments. The US has a much greater need than the rest of the planet in that niche.
melling 16y ago
Don't worry, I'm sure that after this disaster is over, the Japanese will build a better robot for this situation. Necessity is the mother of invention. We're fighting two wars where IED's are a big problem so we happen to be better prepared at this time.
gcheong 16y ago
Quote from the CEO of iRobot Colin Angle c.a. 2005: "I think humanoid robots are interesting and economically irrelevant for the foreseeable future." http://news.cnet.com/The-leader-of-the-robot-pack---page-2/2008-1008_3-5776430-2.html?tag=mncol http://news.cnet.com/The-leader-of-the-robot-pack---page-2/2... To be sure, the Japanese have built some pretty amazing humanoid robots, and a lot of their emphasis seems to be trying to build things to help with caring for an aging population rather than detonating ieds, but it also seems that none of these projects so far have gotten past the proof of concept stage.
zeteo 16y ago
The Japanese have a cultural fascination with humanoid robots. Unfortunately, most useful robots at the moment are rather unimpressive looking and decidedly not humanoid. Ergo, much of Japanese robotics research is closer to toy design and production than to any other branch of engineering.
- kazuya 16y ago
  > The Japanese have a cultural fascination with humanoid robots. If you are talking about pop culture, yes. However, non-humanoids don't make news as they have already been part of Japanese culture. Even kids know cars, toys, foods etc are made by robots. As Estragon pointed out, Japan doesn't have robots suitable for such condition as it didn't have urgent necessity. In addition, the Fukushima power plants are very old and I think it was not designed for inspection and repair by robots.

Wait, why is a US company is sending Japan robots? Aren't the Japanese decades ahead of everybody else on robotics?

by rilindo 16y ago

Wait, why is a US company is sending Japan robots? Aren't the Japanese decades ahead of everybody else on robotics?

Estragon 16y ago

Not when it comes to hostile environments. The US has a much greater need than the rest of the planet in that niche.

melling 16y ago

Don't worry, I'm sure that after this disaster is over, the Japanese will build a better robot for this situation. Necessity is the mother of invention. We're fighting two wars where IED's are a big problem so we happen to be better prepared at this time.

gcheong 16y ago

Quote from the CEO of iRobot Colin Angle c.a. 2005: "I think humanoid robots are interesting and economically irrelevant for the foreseeable future." http://news.cnet.com/The-leader-of-the-robot-pack---page-2/2008-1008_3-5776430-2.html?tag=mncol http://news.cnet.com/The-leader-of-the-robot-pack---page-2/2... To be sure, the Japanese have built some pretty amazing humanoid robots, and a lot of their emphasis seems to be trying to build things to help with caring for an aging population rather than detonating ieds, but it also seems that none of these projects so far have gotten past the proof of concept stage.

zeteo 16y ago

The Japanese have a cultural fascination with humanoid robots. Unfortunately, most useful robots at the moment are rather unimpressive looking and decidedly not humanoid. Ergo, much of Japanese robotics research is closer to toy design and production than to any other branch of engineering.

kazuya 16y ago
> The Japanese have a cultural fascination with humanoid robots. If you are talking about pop culture, yes. However, non-humanoids don't make news as they have already been part of Japanese culture. Even kids know cars, toys, foods etc are made by robots. As Estragon pointed out, Japan doesn't have robots suitable for such condition as it didn't have urgent necessity. In addition, the Fukushima power plants are very old and I think it was not designed for inspection and repair by robots.