Ever since starting the development in 2015, there have been various new versions of the Kawasaki Robust Humanoid Platform (hereinafter called “RHP”) Kaleido. In order to quickly return the technology developed in Kaleido to society, we are currently developing two robots as derivatives of Kaleido. These are the slim type humanoid robot “Friends” and the “Bex” robot that walks on four legs. What was the real intention behind the development of these two robots? We interviewed the person responsible for the development, Masayuki Kamon (PhD in Engineering). Human coexistence type humanoid robot RHP Friends (hereinafter called “Friends”) ー　Tell us the background leading to the development of RHP Friends. At Kawasaki, […]

“Kaleido” is a humanoid robot that brings together the technologies of Kawasaki, which has been producing industrial robots for more than half a century. We started the development of Kaleido in 2015 and announced the first generation in 2017. Ever since then, we have continued to produce new versions and the 7th generation, the RHP7 (Robust Humanoid Platform 7), will be launched at iREX2022 (International Robot Exhibition 2022). We spoke to the person responsible for the development, Masayuki Kamon (PhD in Engineering) about the main points to watch on the latest Kaleido version. What is Kaleido? “Kaleido” is the humanoid robot (human type robot) that Kawasaki is researching and developing. […]

Development is ongoing for humanoid robots that can co-work with people in the environment that is best suited to the humans, and perform dangerous and demanding tasks in place of humans. What is different about the 7th generation Kaleido? “Kaleido” is a humanoid robot that brings together the technologies of Kawasaki, which has been producing industrial robots for more than half a century. We started the development of Kaleido in 2015 and announced the first generation in 2017. Ever since then, we have continued to produce new versions and the 7th generation, the RHP7 (Robust Humanoid Platform 7), will be launched at iREX2022 (International Robot Exhibition 2022). We spoke to […]

The two roles of ROBO CROSS ((1) Improve integration efficiency of robot systems, and (2) Create new value through data utilization) will be explained with use cases. USECASE Improvement of robot system integration efficiency Creation of new value through data utilization (Examples: Manufacturing sites, restaurants, healthcare fields, and logistics fields) Improvement of robot system integration efficiency ー　Data retrieval(For example, the case of gripper selection) Conventional system setup Trial and error on actual machines to select or design various hands to suit the work to be handled ROBO CROSS Search based on proven results from a large database ー　Design of the entire system Conventional system setup A long time is spent […]

The robotics business of Kawasaki Heavy Industries has proposed automation and labor-saving solutions mainly for the manufacturing industry. On the other hand, there are still many social issues in the world. How can robots help to solve these social problems?Kawasaki will cooperate with companies that are familiar with various issues and will work to expand the scope of robot utilization and to contribute to the solution of social issues through the utilization of the data collected by robots. The platform concept to realize this is the Kawasaki Robot Digital Platform, ROBO CROSS. What is ROBO CROSS? “An open development environment for the efficient creation of robot systems” , “A data […]

As a comprehensive robot manufacturer, Kawasaki will not only provide the robots themselves, but will also propose new solutions to streamline the integration process.We aim to accelerate the social implementation of robots and launch an innovation platform “ROBO CROSS” where robots acquire data in various social scenes, become a driving force for the digitalization of society as a whole, and ultimately provide unprecedented value to end users. A new world of robotics created by Kawasaki Robotics. The key to this new world is the Kawasaki Robot Digital Platform “ROBO CROSS”Mr. Takagi, Head of the Robotics Division, gives an overview of ROBO CROSS and discusses the new world created by Kawasaki […]

Due to the spread of COVID-19, the logistics industry has seen an explosive increase in the volume of goods handled, and automation in this industry is advancing rapidly with a focus on warehouses. By combining the versatility of robot arms with the mobility of trackless unmanned transport vehicles, Kawasaki can offer measures for the automation and optimization of logistics processes that involve automated warehouses including product receiving and shipping. Taking on the challenge of the “barriers to warehouse entry and shipment”in logistics automation In recent years, factors such as the expansion of the EC market have led to increasingly serious labor shortages in the logistics industry. Logistics labor saving and automation […]

Japan is in an era of population decline. Robots have so far only been used in limited areas such as the manufacturing industry. However, they are expected to be required in various other industries in the future. One of those industries is the service industry. In addition to chronic labor shortages, the coronavirus crisis has also increased the severity of the business environment for companies. Robots for the service industry. To achieve this, Kawasaki is developing the service robot Nyokkey. A robot for the service industry – “Nyokkey” Nyokkey is an autonomous mobile type service robot. It has been developed to work together with humans. It　moves around in the same […]

This is an introduction of the potential for future transportation systems that combine robotics, mobility, and aviation technologies from among the wide range of technologies that Kawasaki is involved in, and utilize equipment such as VTOL drones and delivery robots which are currently under new development. Labor shortages in logistics The declining birth rate and aging population in Japan mean that an insufficient working population is becoming a serious social issue. In one estimate, it is predicted that in 2030, there will be 64.29 million people supplying labor against a labor demand of 70.73 million people. It is considered that there will be a labor shortage of 6.44 million people […]

The merits of laparoscopic surgery include that it does not leave large operation scars, the recovery after the surgery is quick, and the burden placed on the patient’s body can be reduced (= it is minimally invasive). However, laparoscopic surgery requires a high level of skill, so there has been the issue that performing the surgery itself has been difficult. In response to this, Kawasaki worked to develop a robotic system for surgery support that could move the surgical instruments inside the abdominal cavity in the same way as our own hands. hinotori™ Surgical Robot System Medicaroid Corporation was established in 2013 as a joint venture between Kawasaki, which has […]