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“Kawasaki-Unimate”, Japan’s first domestically manufactured industrial robot Industrial robots have strongly supported businesses in Japan. Although today it becomes common for many companies to implement robot systems, the road to widespread adoption was by no means a smooth one. As a matter of fact, the first industrial robot domestically manufactured in Japan was the Kawasaki-Unimate launched by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, or Kawasaki, in 1969. This article will introduce some of the stories behind the development of this home-grown Unimate. An industrial robot is a machine with multiple, freely-moveable, operable joints capable of performing tasks such as welding and handling heavy objects. Once movements are configured through teaching and programming, industrial […]
“Special training” required to use industrial robots Like driving schools, there are also robot schools. These robot schools deal with industrial robots such as robotic arms. Today, the use of collaborative robots (cobots) which work with humans in the same workspace is gradually increasing. Some of these cobots are made with materials that won’t hurt people if they come in contact with each other or are able to stop immediately when they sense a collision with humans. On the other hand, since industrial robots used at factories are extremely powerful and move at high speed, operation without proper training may cause serious accidents. To prevent such accidents, it is necessary […]
Are the structures of robots and humans the same? Robots and humans share a common feature. Humans and mechanical robots—as opposite as they may seem, they, in fact, share the same underlying structure of links (bones) and joints. The basic skeleton of industrial robots, of which is made up of mainly robotic arms, is a combination of links and joints. Relating it to a human body, parts that can freely bend and move about, such as the elbow and shoulder, are the joints, and the bones connecting those joints are equivalent to a robot’s links. The principle of moving joints and transmitting power through the links is common in both […]
Kawasaki Heavy Industries, or Kawasaki, is well known for its“Kawasaki”motorcycle brand. As the “Heavy Industries” in its name suggests, Kawasaki is a manufacturer of a wide range of machines from motorcycles to ships to aircraft. However, did you know that one of the core products in its lineup is robots? Kawasaki produces industrial robots that operate mainly in manufacturing sites, contributing FA. No, FA does not stand for Full Armor. It stands for Factory Automation. These robots, which Kawasaki was the first to domestically produce in Japan, are working hard in factories around the world today. Needless to say, these robots are part of the workforce in Kawasaki’s motorcycle factory as well. […]
He can do his job faultlessly with speed! The end of the fiscal year is always the busiest month of the year for our editorial office. The announcements of many new gadgets mean more stories to write, and backend office work just keeps piling up. When fatigue builds up and kicks in, concentration steadily goes down the drain; it creates a lot of unwanted trouble. Oh listen, the bemoaning show is starting again. What’s wrong, Yoshioka? “The program froze…and I forgot to save my draft…” I understand exactly how he feels. Everyone’s had that, right? Your computer magically ALWAYS crashes when you’re writing articles or reports. “We’re too busy… I’m […]
What kind of operations are robots capable of? Today industrial robots are often featured on TV and other media, and the opportunity to see industrial robots is gradually increasing. However, we guess that most of you have not yet seen the real performance at actual workplaces. Although Japan has become the so-called “Robot Kingdom”, such an opportunity is still limited in everyday life unless one has worked at factories equipped with robots. This article introduces the inside of the Robot Showroom of Kawasaki Heavy Industries, or Kawasaki, in the Nishi-Kobe Works. The Showroom exhibits how industrial robots are working in actual workplaces. Now let’s take a look at their performances. […]
Did you know that industrial robots were born in the U.S. and raised in Japan? The first industrial robot in Japan was created over half a century ago. In 1968, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, or Kawasaki, signed a technical licensing agreement with an American venture company Unimation and began domestic production in Japan. Japan’s first domestically manufactured industrial robot, the “Kawasaki-Unimate 2000”, was completed in 1969. Since then, the development of industrial robots in Japan has accelerated, with the main focus on the automotive industry. Kawasaki has become one of the major industrial robot manufacturers, gaining a large global market share and establishing the foundation for Japan to become the present-day […]
What is “duAro”, the collaborative robot developed by Kawasaki? Kawasaki Heavy Industries, or Kawasaki, has developed a large number of industrial robots since the launching of its first domestically manufactured industrial robot, the Kawasaki Unimate 2000 in 1969. Such Kawasaki, a pioneer in industrial robots in Japan, released the dual-arm SCARA robot* “duAro”, in June 2015. duAro is the result of the pursuit of the ultimate user-/human-friendly robot.(*Robot arms moving horizontally.) Mr. Shogo Hasegawa from Kawasaki was involved in the project since its conception and took part in its development. He will tell us the secrets behind the birth of duAro. Through his account, you will see the extraordinary philosophy […]
The growing issue of workforce shortages Currently, Japan is on the verge of becoming an aging society with a low birthrate, unlike any other in the world. The total population of Japan peaked in 2008, amounting to 128.08 million people, but has since been on the decline at a rate of approximately 100,000 people per year. According to the “Population Projections for Japan: 2016 to 2065” conducted by the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research in Japan (IPSS), the population is projected to fall below 100 million by the year 2053. The results of these projections have led to concerns about the growing issue of workforce shortages. In […]
The International Robot Exhibition 2017 (iREX2017) was held at Tokyo Big Sight from November 29 to December 2, 2017. The massive venue housed numerous robots not only from all over Japan but also from the entire globe! The majority of the robots were single-arm or dual-arm industrial robots, but there were a few humanoid robots exhibited. It was like a scene from sci-fi anime in a real life! Of the many booths, the one from Kawasaki Heavy Industries, or Kawasaki, attracted many visitors who were gazing at each of the models with keen interest. Kawasaki exhibited humanoid robots to mark the 50th anniversary in their history of robotics business this year. The company has mainly focused […]