Yaskawa
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Robot and samurai face off in an awesome sword duel
Used to be that if you wanted to become an Ieyasu master and swing a katana around with reckless abandon, you'd have to spend years training your mind, body and spirit in preparation as well as subscribe to a strict Bushido, or "warrior's code." These days, you really just need a Motoman-MH24 industrial robot and some basic programming chops. As part of its centennial anniversary, the robot's manufacturer, Yaskawa Electric Corporation, teamed up with modern day samurai Machii Isao to see whether man or machine could better wield a blade. Great, so now they can drive ATVs, climb stairs, dodge obstacles and even respond to emergencies. But will they ever truly know how to love? Oh wait, yup.
Google Android booth at MWC 2012: smoothies, robots, slides, oh my! (video)
Want a taste of Mobile World Congress whimsy? You've come to the right place. Like every year, Google's Android booth is the closest you'll get to experiencing Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory in real life here at Fira, and we're gonna take you on a tour. Join us as we enjoy smoothies and ice cream sandwiches, robots and Swarovski crystals, plus a trip down the rabbit hole -- in our video after the break.
Japan's METI Robot Award 2008 winners announced
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (or METI) in Japan has announced eight 'Robot Award 2008' winners from 65 applicants. Nabbing the prize for industrial robots were Denso Wave Inc. with their XR-G small assembly conveyance robot, which was released for commercial use in April, 2008 and is sold to automobile and electronics factories. Also awarded a prize was Yaskawa Electric Corp's Motoman-CDL3000D, an "LCD glass substrate handling robot" -- apparently the fastest and most precise one in the world. There were six other prize-winners, including an automatic page-turning robot called Book Time and one that transplants rice. Also in attendance but walking home empty-handed was a robot that does nothing but sleep, as well as one which responds "you look great in that!" every time you ask for feedback about your outfit.
Yaskawa Electric puts robot on package-sorting duty
It looks like Japan's Yaskawa Electric has found yet another human job for its Motoman-DIA10 robot to take, with the company now teaming with Mitsui & Co. and Hokusho Co. to put the bot to work sorting packages. Apparently, the multipurpose bot will be paired with Hokusho's existing sorting system, letting the robot scan the barcodes on packages and route them appropriately, supposedly at a rate of 1,000 items per hour. As you can see above, the robot certainly seems to mean business, boasting seven-axis robotic arms that are no doubt capable of far more than simply sorting packages. [Via Pink Tentacle]
