Toyota and Preferred Networks to joint develop on service robots
Using Toyota’s Human Support Robot as a base, the two companieswill accelerate development by sharing their respective technologies Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) and Preferred Networks, Inc. (PFN) have agreed to engage in joint research and development on Toyota’s Human Support Robot (HSR) robotics platform. The two companies aim to develop service robots that cater to market needs at the earliest opportunity. In recent years, the scope of robot activity has expanded from industrial use to medical care and logistics. However, there remain many technological issues in the field of servicerobots, which are required to integrate into individuals’ lives and make decisions and respond appropriately to various situations. By combining their respective technologies and know-how, Toyota andPFN intend to develop service robots capable of learning in typical living environments and executing a variety of tasks. Specifically, Toyota will first loan several dozen HSRs to PFN; over the following three years, the two companies will then collaborate in research and development. Toyota and PFN will share their respective development information and technologies, including existing intellectual property. The two companies will also be free to use the results of their joint research as they see fit. In this way, Toyota and PFN seek to accelerate development aimed at the practical realisation of service robots. Nobuhiko Koga, Chief Officer of Toyota’s Frontier Research Center, commented: “Since around 2004, Toyota has engaged in the development of partner robots that support both people with disabilities and the elderly, based on the concept of ‘coexisting with humans and assisting them in their daily lives.’ In 2012, we developed the HSR, which has a basic robotics platform for supporting independent living. Up to now, HSR has been used in research and development at 49 organisations in 13 countries including Japan and has been highly praised as […]