| Reporter:
Hello everyone. Can you guess what they are? They are all
robots! And these robots hold the key to the future of Fukuoka!
Narration:
This is Robosquare located in Momochi-hama, Sawara-ku, Fukouka
City. As one of the world’s leading robot exhibition facilities,
visitors can encounter various kinds of robots.
Reporter:
Wow, this robot is adorable.
Ms. Doi: This
is Paro. It displays various reactions when you touch it
or talk to it. It is a therapeutic robot offering companionship.
Reporter:
Doi-san, this robot is moving!
Ms. Doi: Yes,
that's right.
Reporter:
What's this robot called?
Ms. Doi: This
is Robonova, a two-legged locomotive robot. It can even
dance to music, like this.
Reporter:
For a robot, the movements are amazingly detailed!
Ms. Doi: Yes,
I agree.
Reporter:
I didn't know modern robots were so sophisticated.
Ms. Doi: Mr.
Shimada!
Reporter:
Oh, there you are! Wow! I remember seeing this before.
Ms. Doi: This
is Segway. The built-in gyro sensor detects inclination.
It can balance itself, so even if you try to topple it,
it won't fall over. This robot is used for security purposes,
or moving around big warehouses and golf courses.
Reporter:
So why was this robot exhibition facility built in Fukuoka?
Ms. Doi: Well
actually, this is not only an exhibition facility. It also
acts as a core location for Fukuoka to develop as a hub
for the robotics industry.
Narration:
The robotics industry is an integrated industry, encompassing
various sectors such as manufacturing, software development,
semiconductor design, and information and telecommunications.
Narration:
The market is experiencing stable growth and its
revenue base is predicted to reach 3 trillion yen by 2010,
and 8 trillion yen by 2025. It is expected to become a key
industry second only to the automobile
industry.
Narration:
Fukuoka City is aiming to become "a city where people
and robots live and thrive harmoniously" by promoting
the robotics industry.
Ms. Doi: This
is the Humanoid Laboratory, where researchers at Kyushu
University study and develop robots. Waseda University's
Humanoid Robotics Institute is known for its world-class
research on humanoid robotics, and its Fukuoka Branch is
also located here.
Reporter:
What kind of facility is this?
Ms. Doi: This
is the Robot Pit where we provide machinery and tools necessary
for making robots. We try to offer an environment where
venture companies and those engaged in robot R&D can
focus on their research.
Mr. Kawano:
To make a prototype like this, we usually have to outsource
to companies equipped with the necessary equipment. It could
cost anywhere between five and six million yen.
Mr. Kawano:
If we have access to machine tools, we can at least try
to do it ourselves. I don't think we could’ve done it without
the support we receive here. We were able to make the prototype
because we're here in Fukuoka.
Narration:
Fukuoka City also supports companies and researchers by
approving the use of public roads for demonstration robot
experiments, and by making the necessary arrangements with
relevant organizations. The number of robot experiments
held on public roads in Fukuoka exceeds that of any other
city in Japan.
Reporter:
Robosquare also holds robot workshops where children can
enjoy interacting with and creating robots. Who knows, one
of these children may grow up to become a specialist in
robotics.
Reporter:
What was it like making one of these yourself?
Child
A: It was fun.
Reporter:
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Child
A: Something to do with robots.
Reporter:
That's no surprise!
What kind of robot would you like
to make?
Child
B: A robotic wheel chair that moves
automatically.
Child
C: A robot that helps the disabled.
Robots are already taking an active
role in the city.
Information Robots
Reporter:
Robots will make our lives more enjoyable and convenient.
By the time I'm a grandfather, there could be robots everywhere.
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