Enryu returns to battle blizzards

When we last caught sight of Enryu -- the 5-ton, 11.5-foot rescue robot designed by Japan's Tmsuk -- the fearless bot was being tested for deployment to earthquake zones. Now the iron giant has a new mission: rescuing survivors of avalanches and other winter disasters (Japan is currently going through one of its worst winters on record). The bot's hydraulic arms have a 16-foot span, and can lift over 1,000 pounds. In a test, Enryu was able to lift a car out of deep snow and wipe snow and ice off of rooftops. All we have to say is, we're glad Enryu's on our side -- let's hope he stays there.

[Orange @ Feb 3rd 2006 10:06AM]

Can lift 1,000 pounds? Guess he's only lifting out the sub-compact cars. I'm not sure I understand this, since you'd think you could lift a lot more with the pneumatics it looks like it's equipped with.

[Iamvery @ Feb 3rd 2006 10:33AM]

Keep in mind that he's a vertical standing robot and any more weight could topple him. (Almost seems that a half ton would too)

[benhc911 @ Feb 3rd 2006 10:34AM]

everyone join the front! H.U.A.R.!!

K&TG FTW!!

[Nipponese @ Feb 3rd 2006 10:37AM]

Even if the pneumatics can lift a heavier weight, it doesn't mean the machine equipped with it can lift that much. With a 16-foot reach, it will definitely need a counterbalance for it to lift more without toppling over.

[randomnoy @ Feb 3rd 2006 10:50AM]

This thing travels on tracks. It is as like 4 times the size of that car.

[Lectoid @ Feb 3rd 2006 10:55AM]

Also remember, you don't have to lift the entire car to get it out of snow. Most of us in the snow states have helped a car out of snow using just our own muscles. But I think few pieces of wood, a shovel, and some sand/salt would be cheaper and faster than getting this robot to help a snowed out car.

[tempusmaster @ Feb 3rd 2006 11:12AM]

If you read the original Japanese press release, Enryu can lift 1000 pounds - with one hand. Using both manipulators at the same time it's capable of lifting 5 times that weight.

Also, the term 'robot' doesn't really fit. Enryu has an operator and is very similar to the smaller machines that are used in Japan to tear down small homes and buildings. The real innovation is the way its multiple degree of freedom manipulators were implemented.

Tmsuk, the company responsible for Enryu, seems to be trying to enter almost every sector of robotics from small domestic security robots, to mid-sized store assistants, all the way up to huge construction and rescue robots like Enryu.

For example, on Thursday NTT Communications announced a proof of concept test will be run in Fukuoka later this month using Tsmuk shopping assistant robots in an actual department store - http://www.robots-dreams.com/2006/02/are_you_being_s.html This has the potential of eventually eliminating most store clerks and other store personnel.

[Hunter @ Feb 3rd 2006 11:34AM]

Come here, Dog, wanna play catch?

[PEZ @ Feb 3rd 2006 12:01PM]

This works, Ive seen it. AND it works with iTunes, too.

[Jake McMahon @ Feb 3rd 2006 12:18PM]

Checklist:
1# - Steal Enryu
2# - Make/Find/Steal Flux Capacitor
3# - Intall Flux Capacitor into Enryu
4# - Brunch
5# - Conquer the WORLD!

[PodMonkeys @ Feb 3rd 2006 12:30PM]

Heh. The first thing I noticed, was the Katamari looking head!

[jalsak @ Feb 3rd 2006 1:38PM]

But what does it work for the autobots or the decepticons?

[darren @ Feb 3rd 2006 2:28PM]

The real question is, who would win, Enryu or Godzilla?

[Gabe @ Feb 3rd 2006 3:15PM]

In a tragic accident, the driver was killed after being thrown 80 feet from the car when Enryu tried to shake the snow off the hood.

[kowalski @ Feb 3rd 2006 3:20PM]

I, for one welcome our rescuebot overlords.

[WOV @ Feb 3rd 2006 4:19PM]

I'm a broken record on this, but, let me file this with the other 10,000 robot applicatiosn for "search and rescue" that have never ever been deployed.

[Malaycobra @ Feb 3rd 2006 6:33PM]

http://www.dottocomu.com/b/archives/000744.html

[kyle90 @ Feb 3rd 2006 10:17PM]

So what are the odds of being able to take on the Alien Queen with that?