Robots Put on Show at World Robot Expo in Japan

rjelks writes "The World Robot Expo is going on right now in Japan. The exhibition is displaying prototypes of robots that draw, dance and mimic humans. Developers believe that growth in the robotics industry will grow rapidly in the coming decade. They hope that soon robots will become a common occurrence in our homes."

Comments

Robotics, the new "Bubble"?

[mrkitty]

Within the next 10 years or so we'll start to see a big boom in R&D in countries like India and China with Technologies relating to computer systems. America will soon find itself 'competing' agressively with these countries due to the low costs of running a buisness. For the past few years robotics have agressively developed and will probably end up being the next 'big thing'. Of course the US will jump on board. Could this be the next 'Bubble'?

When will these robots actually be useful?

[CyricZ]

Every decade we hear that robots will be commonly used within the house within the next decade. And then another decade passes, and we're still not using robots. I'm sure the technology will eventually arive, but maybe we should let things run their course. Instead of promising that they'll be popular within x many years or decades, let's just say they will be popular someday.

Robot Rooter...

[mjfgates]

All of the things that I'd really want a robot for, it would get dirty quickly, and then get grit inside it, and then skizkeewunchgktktklllghh...

Which is a silly way to put it, but a real issue: before you can have a robot in every home, you have to have a robot that can OPERATE in a home, for something like a year, with no maintenance. Anything less and there just wouldn't be a point.

lawnmower

[JanneM]

Autonomous wandering lawnmowers have been for sale for years already. Here's one example:

http://www.electrolux.se/node141.asp

Re:Um

[Orinthe]

Actually, it's a robotics exposition held at/during EXPO/Aichi Expo/ Aichi Exposition of Global Harmony. It's a World's Fair.

I was living in Aichi prefecture for 6 months prior to it--you can't live anywhere near the region and not know it, the merchandising was incessant. Unfortunately, I left Japan just a few weeks before it began. :( I'm hoping to head back within the next month so I can go (it lasts until September).

I especially want to find out about the Linear Express, the latest Japanese bullet train--it's a maglev train that will travel 570KPH from OsakaKyotoNagoyaTokyo (or something like that). Even the newest "Nozomi" class shinkansen bullet trains only travel something like 170KPH... less than impressive.