Market trends and business perspectives
A Japanese startup company called SkyDrive has unveiled what it claims is the world’s smallest flying car. (See video below.)
Designed to carry one person, the vehicle could be said to be the aerial equivalent of a motorcycle.
SkyDrive says it can put the what we’ll call the “airbike” into mass production in just two years’ time, by which time there should be more regulations about aerial vehicles. [Read more…] about SkyDrive launches ‘world’s smallest flying car’
The Japanese government is being urged to establish an industrial espionage unit to try and stop spies stealing secrets relating to advanced technologies being developed by successful companies in the country.
According to a report on the Nikkei Asian Review website, the Liberal Democratic Party, led by current Japanese President Shinzō Abe, is formulating a list of recommendations aimed at preventing industrial espionage against Japanese companies.
As quoted by Nikkei, Akira Amari, one of the LDP’s leading members, says: “The need for intelligence capabilities is broadening beyond sensitive military-related information to a wide range of private-sector data.” [Read more…] about Japanese government urged to establish industrial espionage unit
ABB’s newly launched Terra 184 electric vehicle chargers have been selected by Japan’s e-Mobility Power (eMP) to modernize the infrastructure for the country’s electric vehicle market and accelerate the nation’s shift towards sustainable mobility.
Financial details of the order were not disclosed.
The project is part of a broader push in Japan to increase the share of electric and plug-in hybrids to between 20-30 percent by 2030, from just 1 percent in 2018. [Read more…] about Japanese infrastructure company selects ABB’s Terra 184 electric vehicle chargers
Logistics and snail-mail delivery giant Japan Post is partnering with Yamato, one of Japan’s largest door-to-door delivery service companies, to test delivery robots on the streets of Tokyo, according to Nikkei.
The robot the two companies are using was built by a local company called ZMP, which appears to specialise in autonomous mobile vehicles, be they delivery robots or cars.
This particular one is called “DeliRo” (main picture), probably short for “delivery robot”. [Read more…] about Japan Post and Yamato to test delivery robots in Tokyo
The Japanese government is planning to develop common standards for robots in workplaces such as offices, shops and other environments where they would be working with humans, according to the Nikkei Asian Review.
The country’s industry ministry will lead the initiative and will establish a public-private partnership under the working name Robot Revolution & Industrial IoT Initiative, according to the Nikkei Asian Review.
The group will define common telecommunications standards as well as produce guidelines on creating object shapes that are easier for robots to grip, pick up, hold, move and so on. [Read more…] about Japanese government to develop common standards for robots in workplaces
UBTech is supplying its robotics and artificial intelligence technologies in the ongoing effort to control coronavirus in China.
The AI robots have been installed in healthcare settings as well as commercial environment as people get back to work.
As shown in the main picture above, people starting to return to work are being greeted by people alongside robots. [Read more…] about UBTech robots being used to control coronavirus in Wuhan
Otto Motors, the industrial division of Clearpath Robotics, is expanding into the Japanese market.
The move marks Ontario-based Otto’s first expansion outside North America.
Otto Motors produces self-driving vehicles – also referred to as “autonomous mobile robots” or warehouse robots – that move materials within manufacturing and warehousing facilities. [Read more…] about Otto Motors expands its autonomous mobile robots business to Japan
Omron has joined a consortium which is developing a robotic suitcase with artificial intelligence to assist visually impaired people.
As well as Omron, the consortium includes companies such as IBM Japan, Mitsubishi Motors, and Shimizu Corporation.
The AI suitcase is described as an integrated solution that will help the visually impaired to get around town independently, by supplementing visual information by combining the latest AI with robotics. [Read more…] about Omron developing robotic suitcase with AI to assist visually impaired people
Nike, the world’s largest sportswear company, has integrated robots from Geek+ into its Japan warehouse. (See video below.)
Geek+, a provider of smart logistics solutions, has powered same-day delivery for Nike in Japan, providing advanced robotics solutions to Nike’s new distribution center in Chiba.
The installation uses more than 200 robots from Geek+’s goods-to-person P series robot range. [Read more…] about Nike integrates robots from Geek+ into its Japan warehouse
Okamura is to integrate solutions from RightHand Robotics into its warehouses to further automate operations.
RHR’s autonomous piece-picking solution, RightPick2, will be integrated with Okamura’s logistics solutions, such as AutoStore, beginning this month.
Okamura is one of Japan’s leading providers of high quality products and services for offices, education, commercial facilities and distribution centers. [Read more…] about Okamura to integrate RightHand Robotics’ piece-picking solution in its warehouses
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