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Care robots: Ethical perceptions and acceptance

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Researchers develop a model that can explain the effect of users’ ethical perception on their willingness to use care robots

The global population of people older than 65 years of age is rapidly increasing the need for care. Although care robots are a promising solution to fill in for caregivers, their social implementation has been slow and unsatisfactory.

A team of international researchers has now developed the first universal model that can be employed across cultural contexts to explain how ethical perceptions affect the willingness to use care robots.

Countries like Japan are experiencing declining birth rates and an aging population. The increased burden of care for this aging population may lead to a shortage of caregivers in a decade’s time. [Read more…] about Care robots: Ethical perceptions and acceptance

Toyota and Daimler partner to advance autonomous truck technologies in Japan

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Following the news that Daimler Truck and Toyota have entered into a partnership to combine their truck businesses in Japan, Varshini Shetty, automotive analyst at GlobalData, offers her view.

Shetty says: “To accelerate the development and manufacture of CASE (Connected / Autonomous & Automated / Shared / Electric) technology and hydrogen vehicles, many businesses are forming alliances with other automakers, start-ups, and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

“Aligning with this trend is the deal between Toyota subsidiary Hino Motors Ltd. and Daimler-owned Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corp. to combine their truck businesses in Japan. [Read more…] about Toyota and Daimler partner to advance autonomous truck technologies in Japan

Apex.AI launches ‘full-scale’ business expansion in the Japanese market

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Apex.AI, a company developing safety-certified software for mobility and automotive applications, has expanded operations to Japan in response to “the growing demand” for software-defined vehicles and to better support businesses in the country.

With a well-established presence in the United States and Europe, Apex.AI is now focusing its international expansion efforts in Asia by launching in Japan as it is home to three of the world’s biggest automakers.

The Japanese entity, Apex.AI Japan GK, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Apex.AI. [Read more…] about Apex.AI launches ‘full-scale’ business expansion in the Japanese market

China overtakes USA in robot density

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China’s massive investment in industrial robotics has put the country in the top ranking of robot density, surpassing the United States for the first time, according to a report by the International Federation of Robotics.

The number of operational industrial robots relative to the number of workers hit 322 units per 10,000 employees in the manufacturing industry. Today, China ranks in fifth place.

The world’s top 5 most automated countries in manufacturing 2021 are: South Korea, Singapore, Japan, Germany and China. [Read more…] about China overtakes USA in robot density

Use of Chinese Electric Cars In Japan

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Japan is known as a hub of automotive markets. The big giants in the automotive industry like Toyota, Honda, Mazda, and Nissan are from Japan. In developing countries, there is a great demand for Japanese as well as Chinese cars because they are fuel efficient.

The main challenge that people face in developing countries is that they don’t find sphere parts of the car and if they find them, they are very expensive. To make cars available in another country, you must translate the user manual of the car into a language that the customer understands.

Professional translation services can be of great help to automotive companies that want to tap into new foreign markets. [Read more…] about Use of Chinese Electric Cars In Japan

Mitsubishi tests automated robotic valet parking system using robots

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Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Machinery Systems have launched Phase 2 of demonstration testing of an automated valet parking system at Shisui Premium Outlets, an outlet mall located in Chiba Prefecture, Japan.

The system employs automated guided vehicle (AGV) robots, dubbed “Stan”, manufactured by Stanley Robotics, a French venture-backed company.

Phase 1 of the demonstration testing of this automated valet parking system, the first application of its kind in a commercial complex in Japan, took place in June 2022. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi tests automated robotic valet parking system using robots

Dexterity and Sumitomo partner to bring ‘next generation robotics’ to Japanese warehouses

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Dexterity, a provider of robotic solutions for a variety of industries, has agreed a strategic partnership with the Sumitomo Corporation to install 1,500 Dexterity-powered robots in warehouses across Japan.

Sumitomo Corporation, a Japan-based Fortune 500 multinational, signed an exclusive distributorship agreement in Japan with Dexterity to push into the Robots as a Service (RaaS) business in Japanese warehouses.

Prior to signing this distribution agreement, Sumitomo invested in Dexterity in 2020 through Presidio Ventures, Sumitomo’s US-based corporate venture capital arm. [Read more…] about Dexterity and Sumitomo partner to bring ‘next generation robotics’ to Japanese warehouses

Telexistence to install AI re-stocking robots in 300 convenience stores across Japan

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Telexistence has started the mass production of its originally developed artificial intelligence robot, TX SCARA, to be installed in 300 FamilyMart stores, Japan’s top-tier convenience store chain in major metropolitan areas, starting later this month, validating its AI-based “robot-as-a-service” solution for grocery retailers.

TX SCARA was created to do the specific task of restocking refrigerated shelves with bottles and cans, a repetitive, tedious job generally performed by employees in often uncomfortable settings.

TX SCARA can be in operation 24/7, replenishing shelves at a pace of up to 1,000 bottles and cans per day, relying almost completely on its AI system – known as “GORDON” – to know when and where products need to be placed on the shelves. [Read more…] about Telexistence to install AI re-stocking robots in 300 convenience stores across Japan

SafeAI and Obayashi demonstrate autonomous vehicle on a construction site in Japan

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SafeAI, a developer of autonomous solutions for heavy equipment, in partnership with Japanese construction giant Obayashi, has hosted nearly 150 visitors to view its retrofitted autonomous Caterpillar 725, operating on a construction site in Japan for the first time ever.

The demos, which took place over a two week period, brought together delegates from nearly 50 organizations across the construction industry ecosystem, including leading OEM, general contractors, technology companies, universities and research groups and Japanese government entities responsible for regulation.

In addition to winning buy-in from key stakeholders, the demos mark a critical first step toward securing approval from the government and industry organizations to bring autonomous construction to Japan. [Read more…] about SafeAI and Obayashi demonstrate autonomous vehicle on a construction site in Japan

Hai Robotics raises more than $100 million in D+ financing round

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Hai Robotics, the developer of its own Autonomous Case-handling Robot (ACR) systems for warehouse logistics, has raised more than $100 million in a D+ round of financing.

The lead investor is Capital Today, and co-investors include a top US dollar fund and existing shareholders including 5Y Capital, Source Code Capital, Sequoia Capital and 01VC.

This is the third round of financing it has obtained within the past 12 months. [Read more…] about Hai Robotics raises more than $100 million in D+ financing round