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| MR.
ROBOTO Remote-controlled cyborg can drive mini
excavators. |
A consortium of researchers
in Japan believes firms performing unusually dangerous work
could benefit from robots that operate heavy equipment. It may
sound like a science fiction story, but the team's engineers
say they already have demonstrated a prototype with potential
for use on hazardous construction and cleanup sites.
In cooperation with Japan's Ministry
of Economy, Trade and Industry, the research and development
team comprises a partnership between Kawasaki Heavy Industries,
Tokyu Construction Co. and the National Institute of Advanced
Industrial Science and Technology (AIST). In March, they wrapped
a five-year, $38.2-million laboratory study resulting in seven
robots, one of which was tested in December on a mini excavator.
Researchers are planning a second phase to conduct trials
for future equipment-driving robots in the field.
"There have been many attempts
to robotize industrial vehicles," says Kazuhito Yokoi,
senior research analyst at AIST. "We believe that teledriving
a vehicle, such as a backhoe, in dirty or dangerous environments
will be one of the most promising application areas for humanoid
robots in the future."
The excavator robot, dubbed HRP-1S,
stands 5 ft, 3 in. tall and weighs 258 lb. According to Yokoi,
each joint is activated by a brushless DC servo motor equipped
with a harmonic-drive reduction gear. Brushless DC servo amplifiers,
a Ni-Zn battery and a wireless Ethernet modem also are embedded
in the body of the robot.
It is not fully automated, though.
In the lab, a technician operates HRP-1S from a control station
that resembles a beefed-up video game. Two cameras mounted
in the robot's head guide the technician, who also receives
force-sensitive feedback as the robot, sitting in the excavator
cab, grasps the joystick controls.
The robot still needs tweaking,
says Takao Ueno, Tokyu Construction project engineer. But
his company hopes to begin testing units soon on jobsites.
(Photo courtesy of National Institute
of Advanced Science and Technology)
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