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A Robot Carries Humans, Another One Plays Flute

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the robot-assisted-living dept.

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."

3 of 117 comments (clear)

  1. No knees by penguinoid · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Sorry, mr robot, without knees having legs is probably worse than wheels.

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  2. welfare? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    "will be used 'in the fields of welfare, as an alternative to wheelchairs"

    How can a cool expensive robot like that be used for welfare? Are they giving them away to crippled children in vietnam, who has had their legs blown off by a mine? While that certainly would be nice, I can think of better use of the money for the same purpose: buying 100 times more wheelchairs to the children.

  3. max weight 130 lbs? by diamond0 · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Don't most adult humans weigh more than 130 pounds?

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