Starting this month, a massive robot with gigantic arms, reminiscent of villains from 1980s science fiction films, will take on the maintenance tasks for the West Japan Railway Company.
The giant robot of the West Japan Railway Company. (Photo: The Japan Times).
The operator of this giant robot will sit in a cockpit on the vehicle attached to the robot. They will control the robot’s hands remotely by observing through cameras equipped on the robot.
This robot stands at a height of up to 12 meters. The Guardian (UK) reports that the robot’s large arms can be fitted with various attachments, allowing it to lift heavy objects up to 40 kg, hold a paintbrush, or use a saw.
The West Japan Railway Company states that the robot’s primary tasks will currently focus on trimming branches along the tracks and painting the metal frames that support overhead cables for trains.
The West Japan Railway Company expects this robot to help alleviate labor shortages. (Photo: The Japan Times)
The West Japan Railway Company asserts that this technology will help address labor shortages and minimize accidents such as workers falling from heights or being electrocuted. Additionally, the robot is expected to reduce maintenance workload by approximately 30%.
In a recent press conference, the company’s president, Kazuaki Hasegawa, stated: “In the future, we hope to use machinery for all kinds of infrastructure maintenance activities.” He also expressed optimism that the robot could serve as a model for addressing labor shortages.
The West Japan Railway Company plans to deploy this robot in the Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe area starting in July.
