Featured Articles

Visit the JETRO Pavilion at Booth 517 for a look into the future of robotics technology

October 2005 -- Japan’s eagerness to embrace new technologies has led to huge opportunities in the robotics industry. Consistently strong demand from highly-competitive manufacturing companies means Japan’s robotics market, valued at $7 billion, is among the largest in the world. This strength has translated into leadership in the burgeoning social welfare robotics field, which is expected to fuel explosive growth to the robotics industry as a whole. The Japanese robotics market is projected to grow to $30 billion by 2010, and $80 billion by 2025, opening up market and partnering opportunities for American companies.

JETRO is proud to continue supporting new US-Japan partnerships in the robotics industry through sponsorship and exhibition at the RoboNexus Conference, to be held in San Jose, California from October 6 – 9. Building on the unprecedented access to Japan offered to American companies during the Robotics Mission in July, JETRO will be providing a rare glimpse at a diverse sample of Japan’s most innovative robotics technology.

Chroino
Developed at Kyoto University’s Robo Garage, Chroino (pronounced ku-roy-no) is humanoid robot featuring a unique motion system, SHIN-Walk. SHIN-Walk allows Chroino exceptional balance and remarkably fluid, lifelike movement. Robo Garage has applied for a patent for Chroino through the Kansai Technology Licensing Organization, and will seek licensing agreements in the future.

Paro
In 2002, the Guiness Book of Records certified Paro as the world’s most therapeutic robot. Designed to look like a baby harp seal, Paro uses an array of sensors to respond to audible, visual, and tactile stimulation. Studies conducted in care facilities have shown significant reduction in the stress levels of the elderly after interactions with Paro. Developed by Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Paro is commercially available to medical facilities, and is in use in both Japan and Sweden.

Robovie-MS
Robovie-MS is a fully programmable kit robot that can be assembled in any configuration. It features an easy to use PC Graphical User Interface for programming, allowing novices to enjoy building Robovie-MS. Maker VStone has produced several other versions of Robovie, including a talking version, which was used at the Aichi Exposition, and a competitor in the Robo Cup soccer tournament.

To see these robots in action and learn more about opportunities in Japan, please stop by the JETRO Pavilion at Booth 517 at RoboNexus.