(Aug. 2005) Since the first world’s
fair held in London in 1851, international expositions have
inspired forward-looking innovations and creative scientific
advancements. At the 2005 World Expo in Aichi, Japan, Ritsumeikan
University participated in this innovative tradition by demonstrating
three next generation model robots at the expo’s Robot
Project: Prototype Robot Exhibition held from June 9th
to19th. Co-sponsored by the Japan Association for the 2005
World Exposition and the New Energy and Industrial Technology
Development Organization (NEDO), the special exhibition displayed
sixty-five prototype robots developed by universities, corporations,
and research institutions. The robots Ritsumeikan University
presented were developed by professors in the College of Science
and Engineering.
Man-Machine Synergy Effector
The
Man-Machine Synergy Effector (MMSE) is robot that combines
the facility of human beings with the strength of machines.
By using this robot, a person is able to effortlessly handle
large objects that would normally be too heavy and cumbersome
for one person to lift alone. The MMSE amplifies human strength
and dexterity, giving anyone the power of a superhuman.
Developed by Lecturer Kanaoka Katsuya, the main feature
of the MMSE is the Power Effector that implements
the robot’s high power. Through “hold and use” technology,
the person’s skills are combined with the robot’s power.
Through this synergy, it is possible to accomplish tasks
that could otherwise not be performed by either just a human
or just a robot. Normally, it is dangerous for a person
to directly hold a high power robot. But Lecturer Kanaoka
and his team were able to remedy this problem by introducing
the control technology Virtual Power Limiter System
to stabilize amplification-controlled power. The Power
Finger is a simpler version of the MMSE, with more practical
uses. This robot maintains the facility of a human’s fingers
while exhibiting a powerful grip (max. 200 [kgf]) beyond
human ability.
The MMSE robot is expected to greatly enhance overall operation
efficiency in the construction, manufacturing, and wholesale
industries. Additionally, because the MMSE can be operated
so intuitively, it may be useful as a counter-measure to
the aging population problem, allowing aging employees to
complete tasks without physical strain.
μ-TAN
The
robotμ-TAN has made significant progress in lessening the
distance between humankind and the micro world (infinitesimal
space). Using micro-machine or MEMS technology as its base,
theμ-TAN combines robotics and virtual reality to make encounters
with the micro world possible. Developed by Professors Konishi
Satoshi and Nokata Makoto, μ-TAN’s tiny fingers are operated
by the movements of a human hand and are able to grasp fine
particles.
Using a virtual reality human interface as a control input
device, the operator is able to control the movements of
the micro fingers. Through this operation, it becomes possible
to manipulate the micro world, which until now has been
difficult for humankind to make contact with. The silicon
rubber micro fingers have a width of 800μm and a thickness
of approximately fiftyμm. The joints, which are made of
a silicon rubber film, expand and contract, and bend and
extend by pneumatic force. The guide robot determines the
high-precision positioning of the micro hand through the
use of a micro paralleling mechanism driven by DC servo
motors built into the base. The research team hopes that
the robot will eventually be useful in the medical field,
especially as an instrument for low-invasive surgical endoscopies
and advanced embryo procedures.
KOHARO
KOHARO
is a soft robot that uses its malleable form to roll and
jump across the earth’s surface. KOHARO, which can jump
up to thirty centimeters and change its spherical shape
and movements depending on the terrain, represents a new
concept in irregular surface traveling robots.
The robot was developed by Professor Hirai Shinichi and
College of Science and Engineering graduate student Sugiyama
Yuta. Professor Hirai says, “KOHARO has a soft body. Soft
actuators within the soft body transform the robot’s shape.
By controlling the body’s transformation, the robot is able
to crawl across the surface of the earth. The robot can
also jump along the surface of the earth.”
Both KOHARO’s jumping-crawling model and crawling model
were demonstrated at the 2005 World Expo. In each model,
three round bodies are combined and the inside is composed
of either twenty-two or eighteen shape memory alloy actuators.
The jumping-crawling model has a small, light body, while
the inside of the larger body of the crawling model is equipped
with a computer that acts as a brain. The crawling model
robot can accept signals from outside sensors and communicate
with other robots while it is crawling along. This “soft
robot” has great potential for practical use due to the
advancement of actuators and soft mechanics in recent years.
(Aug. 2005) Since the first world’s
fair held in London in 1851, international expositions have
inspired forward-looking innovations and creative scientific
advancements. At the 2005 World Expo in Aichi, Japan, Ritsumeikan
University participated in this innovative tradition by demonstrating
three next generation model robots at the expo’s Robot
Project: Prototype Robot Exhibition held from June 9th
to19th. Co-sponsored by the Japan Association for the 2005
World Exposition and the New Energy and Industrial Technology
Development Organization (NEDO), the special exhibition displayed
sixty-five prototype robots developed by universities, corporations,
and research institutions. The robots Ritsumeikan University
presented were developed by professors in the College of Science
and Engineering.
The
Man-Machine Synergy Effector (MMSE) is robot that combines
the facility of human beings with the strength of machines.
By using this robot, a person is able to effortlessly handle
large objects that would normally be too heavy and cumbersome
for one person to lift alone. The MMSE amplifies human strength
and dexterity, giving anyone the power of a superhuman.
The
robotμ-TAN has made significant progress in lessening the
distance between humankind and the micro world (infinitesimal
space). Using micro-machine or MEMS technology as its base,
theμ-TAN combines robotics and virtual reality to make encounters
with the micro world possible. Developed by Professors Konishi
Satoshi and Nokata Makoto, μ-TAN’s tiny fingers are operated
by the movements of a human hand and are able to grasp fine
particles.
KOHARO
is a soft robot that uses its malleable form to roll and
jump across the earth’s surface. KOHARO, which can jump
up to thirty centimeters and change its spherical shape
and movements depending on the terrain, represents a new
concept in irregular surface traveling robots. 
