Khaleej Times

Robots should not overwhelm people. They are something that have an amicable relationsh­ip with human beings

20% More efficiency given by Panasonic’s ‘power assist suit’

- Masaaki Komiya, Vice-director-general to Tokyo Olympics

tokyo — Tokyo’s Olympics may become known as the “Robot Games”.

Organisers on Friday showed off robots that will be used at the new National Stadium to provide assistance for fans using wheelchair­s.

Tokyo Olympic official Masaaki Komiya pointed out that Japan is known for its robot technology, and the 2020 Summer Games are a good place to show off.

“Robots should not overwhelm people,” Komiya, the vice-director general to the Tokyo Olympics, told a news conference. “Robots are something that have an amicable relationsh­ip with human beings and can work together. That’s the kind of robots we envision.”

The robots are made by major Olympic sponsor Toyota Motor. Toyota officials said 16 of the socalled “human support robots” will be used at the National Stadium with five other “delivery support robots” also being available.

Not to be outdone, Panasonic — also a major Olympic sponsor — showed off its “power assist suit”. When worn, the suit offers support to the back and hip area and allows for heavy objects to be lifted with less effort. Panasonic said 20 of the suits will be used at the Olympics and could help guests with their luggage and with other lifting chores.

“Through this occasion, people in the world will be able to realise how advanced Japan is in terms of robot technology,” Hideyo Hirata, director of technology services for the Tokyo Olympics, told reporters.

Minoru Yamauchi of Toyota, the general manager for 2020 Robot Developmen­t, said the automaker is branching out and becoming a “mobility company”.

“We have been looking at how we can support the daily lives of people, and how we can develop robots that can partner with daily life,” Yamauchi said. “In the Tokyo Olympics, there will be many guests in wheelchair­s and we would like them enjoy the games without worrying about their mobility.”

Yoshifumi Uchida, general manager of Panasonic’s Paralympic department, said its power assist suit technology was developed partly because of Japan’s aging population. This could help get more women and the elderly into the working population.

“We would like to have a society where people can work without caring about gender difference­s or age difference­s,” Uchida said.

“When you are carrying a suitcase or a heavy box, this is where the power assist suit becomes valuable,” he added.

He said the suits would also be used away from the venues in “related facilities and airports.”

He said the suit improved “efficiency” by about 20 per cent, allowing the wearer to lift more, and for a longer time. —

 ?? AP ?? A robot passes a basket containing drinks to a woman in wheelchair during the unveiling event in Tokyo on Friday. —
AP A robot passes a basket containing drinks to a woman in wheelchair during the unveiling event in Tokyo on Friday. —

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