Slashdot Mirror


A Robot Carries Humans, Another One Plays Flute

Roland Piquepaille writes "The New Scientist says that a robot able to carry humans was demonstrated in Tokyo. The robot, developed at Waseda University in Tokyo and the Japanese robotics company tmsuk, 'uses 12 actuators to move forwards, backwards and sideways while carrying an adult weighing up to 60 kilograms (130 pounds).' It will be used 'in the fields of welfare, as an alternative to wheelchairs, which can go up and down stairs.' The Takanishi Laboratory carries other projects, including a flutist robot. More details and references are contained in this overview, which also includes a picture of the flutist robot in concert."

10 of 117 comments (clear)

  1. I am the pusher robot by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I push people down the stairs.

    I am the shover robot - I shove people down the stairs

  2. Feather humans by plip · · Score: 3, Funny


    Great, at 130 pounds the American population is out of luck.

    1. Re:Feather humans by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      I, for one, welcome our giant-yet-weak mech overlords.

  3. 130 lbs? by Valiss · · Score: 4, Funny

    while carrying an adult weighing up to 60 kilograms (130 pounds)

    Only 130lbs?! Looks like I'll be carrying the robot on my way out of the burning building.

    --

    -Valiss
    1. Re:130 lbs? by 8tim8 · · Score: 2, Funny

      The idea is to buy two and have them carry you in a kind of sling between them, a la ancient Egyptian royalty. Perhaps another could be modified to gently wave a plam frond at you.

  4. Oh Oh, You Know Where This is Going? by Greyfox · · Score: 5, Funny

    Pretty soon they'll be wanting voting rights and they'll be forming unions. Then Ford will have to outsource their car manufacturing overseas where the robots work for less and aren't held to the same stringent emissions standards we have here. It's just a downward spiral from here, folks...

    --

    I'm trying to teach myself to set people on fire with my mind... Is it hot in here?

  5. The time is nigh... by damiena · · Score: 3, Funny

    They came, they carried, they conquered.

  6. alternate pic by binarybum · · Score: 5, Funny

    A better image is available here.

    --
    ôó
  7. Re:max weight 130 lbs? by penguinoid · · Score: 1, Funny

    Disabled people tend to weigh less. Unless they excercise, of course :-)

    --
    Don't waste your vote! Vote for whoever you want, unless you live in a swing state it won't matter anyways
  8. Re:Get in and out of bed by nfk · · Score: 2, Funny

    Forget disabled people! I'd love to have a device to get out of bed myself.