Robots dance, clean, and rescue toy cats at expo in Japan

From demonstrating its rescue capabilities during disasters to busting a move and serving up drinks, the latest advances in humanoid robot technology are on full display at this year’s International Robot Exhibition in Tokyo.

The Kaleido 9 is using this toy cat to showcase how it could save people during a disaster.

Yoshimoto Matsuda, managing executive officer of Kawasaki Heavy Industries, said the robot is meant to be deployed to disaster areas where access for humans is difficult. 

“We aim to create robots that are robust and reliable, for deployment in places where humans cannot work or where they need to work alongside robots. That’s why we insist on human-sized robots, so existing equipment like fireproof suits and protective gear can be used without modification. Our vision is not about robots performing repetitive tasks in factories or improving precision, but about working on-site, improvising, and using the same tools as humans," Matsuda said.

Kawasaki spent about a decade developing the robot, which is still in the testing phase.

The bot showed off how it can be a lifesaver in other ways—including performing domestic duties like raking up leaves and throwing out the trash.

Across the exhibition hall, a dance-off is taking place.

This robot was manufactured by Chinese robotics developer Unitree but programmed and calibrated by Japanese robotics company GMO.

Tomohiro Uchida of GMO said the dance moves show just how far robotic development has come.

"About a year ago, humanoid robots were still very stiff and jerky. People couldn’t imagine them functioning in real-world settings. But in the past six months—or even the last three months—the software has been rapidly updated, and now they can perform a variety of movements. So, we wanted visitors to see what kind of movements are possible now. As part of that demonstration, we had it perform a dance. It appears to move quite fluidly now," Uchida said. 

Uchida added that he sees humanoid robots as a solution to help fill gaps in what he called a declining labor force in developed countries. — Reuters