Enryu T-53 service robot cleans up Japan post-earthquake

It's been far too long since we've seen the Enryu support robot out on the streets of Japan, and unfortunately, it was called into action once again recently after an earthquake reportedly rocked Niigata. The newest edition, dubbed the T-53, has received a number of improvements over the prior T-52 model, and aside from being able to hoist 220-pounds per arm without a stressing a joint, this rendition is supposedly a registered, street-legal vehicle to boot. Check it in the work zone after the break.

[Kennyb123 @ Aug 10th 2007 8:10AM]

Is it really a robot if a man is in the driver's seat? Still, pretty cool.

[Ghen @ Aug 10th 2007 8:26AM]

No, its not really. Its just like any other machine that has a grapple on it. Wood chippers for example.

[JC @ Aug 10th 2007 10:57AM]

Is Gundam a robot?

[Ghen @ Aug 10th 2007 11:20AM]

No, its a mobile suit. it says it right in the name.

[Cash @ Aug 10th 2007 1:02PM]

Technically, it is a robot, just not an autonomous one in the same way that servo-slave manipulators in science labs and nuclear power plants are robots. All of the above take user input, and then process that input into real world movement which is regulated by feedback coming from it's various sensors. Whereas a backhoe directly translates user input into movement, robotic slave systems like this thing actually think about what the user is asking while sampling the environment and then decide how best to do what the user wants. It's like a scaled up version of those new robotic limb replacements that have pressure sensors inside the fingerpads that allow the owner to grasp fragile objects like a paper cup or an egg firmly without crushing it.

I wonder how many operators have raised the claws up at coworkers and yelled "Geht away froom herr yoo Beetch!"

[Karan @ Aug 10th 2007 8:34AM]

Is tagging a T-series robot "servant" really that good an idea? They're going through the numbers, and while 1000 seems a long way from 53..... >.>

[Nicholas @ Aug 10th 2007 8:39AM]

If we're going to survive, we need to welcome our new robot overlords while planning our subterfuge against them.

[HineyWipe @ Aug 10th 2007 8:45AM]

What we really need, is a Power Loader like the one in Aliens that "Ripley" was using...but be able to use for rescue (lift cars, bridge pieces, building I-Beams...).

[Eleventeen @ Aug 10th 2007 10:54AM]

When I saw the pics I was hoping *someone* had mentioned the Aliens powerloader, good call sir!

[Billy @ Aug 10th 2007 8:50AM]

It's just a modified fork-lift... those japanese are like an island of middle children, always trying to again attention with some new "invention" that does the same exact thing but has a cheesy robot head on it. Seriously, what's the big deal with this thing?

I tell ya what Japan needs for natural disasters, a team of wresters who naturally can pick up 220 easily with 1 arm... it would a crap load of the cost, plus maybe someone would get laid in the end.

[JC @ Aug 10th 2007 10:59AM]

I hope you're the next one who gets stuck under a pile of rubble in an earthquake, and someone tries to lift it off you with a forklift. Get the point of this machine now?

[Das @ Aug 10th 2007 12:34PM]

What part of this made you think it's a 'modified forklift,' was it the articulated arms? Or the two man operating team? Do you have any idea what a forklift looks like or what functions it is capable of?

These questions are, of course, all rhetorical because anyone reading already knows the answers.

[Glazun @ Aug 10th 2007 9:07AM]

Ah.. from the first few pics I thought it was a giant robot.. then i saw the man in it and realised its time for my coffee.

[eric f. @ Aug 10th 2007 9:57AM]

220 lbs for each arm is kind off weak. Realistically, a machine of that size should handle 2200 lbs at least. The only thing that would make up for this limitation is if it is super fast.

[glucoseboy @ Aug 10th 2007 11:07AM]

From the look of the arms, I would say 220 kg is about right

[Ghen @ Aug 10th 2007 11:23AM]

220Kg is 485 lbs. (I googled it for my fellow Americans. Our way or the highway)

[metathuselah @ Aug 10th 2007 1:03PM]

Well, as I remember, robots can be operated several ways. Remotely (radio), directly (tethered), and autonomusly. Most of you folks appear to be spoiled by the concept of free-willed droids that you don't recognize an industrial robot design anymore. T-53 is exactly that. The fact that it has a "robot head" simply means that the design calls for a unit that can swivel independently of the rest of the structure, allowing for viewing in other directions while the main work is being done. That way nothing is damaged outside the field of vision.

I for one totally would cheer at the fact that ANY piece of machinery was coming to rescue me under a pile of fallen building, remotely operazted or not!

[Carl Lumma @ Aug 10th 2007 1:34PM]

http://www.theonion.com/content/news/earthquake_sets_japan_back_to_2147

[Mr. Yetti @ Aug 10th 2007 2:19PM]

'Hooo...Are wa Boomer da ne?'

I'm waiting for Galatea to show up.

[adaminc @ Aug 10th 2007 3:37PM]

Sorta reminds me of the house destroying robot from iRobot

[Kyoji @ Aug 10th 2007 4:48PM]

GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GA GAOGAIGAR!

[pikkoz @ Aug 11th 2007 7:11AM]

The next revision will be named as "HyoRyu" it will be painted in blue and it can be merged with the previous unit "Enryu" by Symmmetraaaaaal Dockiiiiiiiiiiiing(trademark) to form a better suited robot named as "ChoRyuJin" to aid civilian to face large scale chatastrophe as earthquakes,tsunami and hysteric mothers

[waLLy @ Aug 10th 2007 5:14PM]

talk about an overloard...

[waLLy @ Aug 10th 2007 5:15PM]

...and yes, I realize there's no "a" in "overlord." I need a nap.

[Eric Leung @ Aug 11th 2007 2:27AM]

YAY the autobots are here!!

[Number5 @ Aug 11th 2007 4:42PM]

This robot reminds me of Number 5 of Short Circuit fame.