Toyota has introduced its Human Support Robot (HSR) as the company’s answer to the ever-increasing demand for care workers for the elderly in societies like Japan.
The company cites official statistics from WHO and government of Japan pointing out the ever increasing number of people above the age of 60 and the parallel increase in need for specialised care worker who can cater to the social care needs of the elderly as the reason behind the launch of its HSR.
This “graying” of society will affect many countries over the coming decades, the company notes in a press release.
Toyota says that it intends to assist independent home living for the elderly and disabled and for that it has teamed up with a number of research institutes to establish the HSR Developers’ Community. This particular community will put forth a cooperative effort to hasten the development and early practical adoption of the HSR.
The company notes that considering that artificial intelligence hasn’t reached to levels that we need, the HSR has been designed such that it can be operated locally as well as remotely. Operator’s face and voice will be relayed in real-time, allowing for real, human interaction while also being able to help with daily tasks.
Toyota has said that since its launch in 2012, the HSR has undergone a number of improvements based on feedback from patients and healthcare workers.
The company intends to loan HSRs to partner organisations in Japan including universities, research facilities, and businesses and in return it expects them to share their software development progress and newly gained knowhow throughout the community.
Toyota will also aid research institutes in HSR testing by helping to find appropriate facilities for the tests along with other supportive efforts.
Initially, starting in September, the HSR Developers’ Community will consist of Toyota and several other institutions already testing the HSR. The community hopes to increase membership by around 10 groups from April 2016 onward, with applications to join the first round of HSR Developers’ Community recruitment being accepted from today. Research projects are expected to last for around two years, with the possibility of extension.
Hoping to jumpstart HSR innovation, Toyota will hold a “Hackathon” at Toyota’s Mega Web showroom in Tokyo, Japan from August 31 to September 2. Eight teams of five from academic, research, and corporate entities will compete to develop the most innovative application for the HSR. Winners of the event will receive an HSR development kit free-of-charge for one year.
The new Human Support Robot will be exhibited at the Yokohama Human & Technoland exhibition at Pacifico Yokohama from July 24 to 25, and at the Annual Conference of the Robotics Society of Japan at Tokyo Denki University from September 3 to 5.
