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Development of Robots In Japan and South Korea
By Vlad ITpassion (www.elance.com)
Commisioned by Robots Incorporated
For almost 10 years, Japan has led the world in robo-technology, creating powerful machines that can clean your home, dance, greet, feed and monitor your pets, or guard your empty home or office. There are four leading robot startups in Japan – Tokyo's ZMP Inc., Nagoya's Business Design Laboratory Co., Osaka's Vstone Co. and Fukuoka's Tmsuk. However, “intelligent service robots” have been very slow to penetrate the average home due to their price. For example, a “Roborior” robot costs $2700. For its money, the Roborior guards empty offices and homes. Although its price is high, this robot can prevent significant theft from homes and offices.
Representatives of the four leading robot startups. Each one is posing with their own robot.
Lately, Japanese robot industry has faced a real threat from South Korea. The South Korean government has mobilized scientists to help integrate robots into the society. It has also said that it wants a robot in every household by 2020. This is indeed a big threat to Japanese supremacy. The Koreans even created a "Robot Ethics Code" last year. This code will prevent any robot-human abuse. Japan is more and more concerned that neighboring South Korea could pull ahead in the race to transform robots from science fiction fantasy to commercial success.
To the left you can see the music playing humanoid robot A.M.P. (Automated Music Personality). It was first unveiled at the International Tokyo Toy Show June 19, 2008. The design and performance of this robot clearly show the breakthroughs made by the robotic science in the last few years. Although Japanese and South Korean developers are still a generation away from the true humanoid robots, major progress has been recorded in the last two years. Robots can now talk like human beings; act and mimic like humans, and even walk like humans.
Although the most important part of robotic development is geared towards humanoid robots, Japanese and South Korean developers have reproduced insects, mammals, and even fish. Below are a few photos of robotic animals you might find interesting.
Why would Japan and South Korea invest so much effort and money to develop robots? The answer is simple – both countries are aging quickly and are turning to robots to replace disappearing workers as well as care for the elderly. The low birth rates and long life spans leave them no choice. The future is troubling – by 2040, children will comprise 9.3 percent of Japan's population, while the over-65 population will rise to 36.5 percent. Because of this, these countries need to rely on a workforce that does not eat, does not drink, does not smoke, and does not sleep. Robots are this perfect workforce. They can clean your house, play music, watch over your pets and even your children, guard your house or office, make you laugh, protect you, and much more.
Service robots are coming to the home.
See www.robotsincorporated.co.uk for your robot needs
