Japanese develop robo exoskeleton for disaster response

 

A product of the University of Tsukuba's spinoff Cyberdyne, the Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL) is being considered for first responders, GizMag.com reported.

 

"Much of the weight of the suit, including tools used for repairing damaged pipes, can be carried by the exoskeleton's legs. Vital signs such as heart rate and body temperature will also be measured in real-time," GizMag.com said.

 

It added the the suit uses tungsten shielding to reduce radiation exposure by about 50 percent. A cooling system is also built in to prevent heat stroke.

 

Last year, a magnitude-9 quake struck Japan, causing equipment failure and the release of radioactive material at the Fukushima nuclear power plant.

 

For now, Cyberdyne had been marketing the HAL suit as a walking aid and for rehabilitation, though the suit has been demonstrated with an upper-body extension that can multiply the wearer's lifting strength.

 

On the other hand, GizMag.com noted the Chiba Institute of Technology (CIT) is developing remotely-operated robots that can enter radioactive areas.

 

Sakura, CIT's latest unmanned robot, can be used to inspect pipes, radiation levels, temperature, and humidity.

 

"It negotiates stairwells and narrow passages by moving on tank-like treads and is equipped with a camera and other sensors. The team expects the robot to be maintenance-free for three years after carefully selecting build materials, which will further help reduce radiation exposure," it said.

 

CIT researchers have already built two generations of search-and-rescue robots, many of which had been tested in competitions like the RoboCup Rescue challenge.

 

"(W)ith further miniaturization, it is expected that Sakura may go just about anywhere within a reactor building," GizMag.com said.

 

Japan robot week

 

GizMag.com quoted the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) as saying the robots will be unveiled during Japan Robot Week 2012.

 

It also noted the Japanese government has been widely criticized for its lack of preparedness in the face of nuclear accidents.

 

"However, the Japanese government has actually invested millions into related technologies, with the cooperation of industry giants and academia, since the 1980s," it said. - SP, GMA News