There are three different robots - o­ne is a bit like the Asimo, with two legs. Another looks like o­ne of those guys out of the old Nintendo game "Base Wars," in that he has a human-shaped upper body but two wheels instead of legs. Finally, there is a chair with legs, if that can be considered a robot.

Toyota, "Toyota Partner Robot" Development Summary and Announcement
~ Presentation of Development Results to public at March 2005's "Love / Earth Expo" ~

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Toyota Automobile (Corp.)(from here o­n, Toyota), continuing with the development of the "Toyota Partner Robot" that supports people's activities, announced a summary of their results.

Toyota, since establishment, has continued operation aiming for "Making things, Making cars, to contribute to the public."

However, it is anticipated that the public's demands will become more abundant and higher - also, particularly in Japan, due to the gradual aging of the population, in order to be able to live a plentiful life, the security of the working force has become a large issue.

Toyota, paying attention to these points, has taken all of the knowledge of the Toyota Group from developing cars, and other industrial sciences, and concentrated o­n the development of the "Toyota Partner Robot" which is to help people.

The "Toyota Personal Robot" is a combination of the selflessness and gentleness of humans "Niceness," as well as their "Smartness" in the ability to use a variety of tools handily, and the main applications are thought of as "Assistant," "Welfare," "Manufacture," and "Mobility."
Also, because there are a variety of sought after functions depending o­n the realm of application, Toyota feels as though multiple "Shapes" are needed, and is continuing in the development of the "Two Legged Walking Type," "Two Wheeled Running Type," and "Rideable Type."

Toyota, using the currently announced contents as a base, will (for entertainment purposes) hold an exhibit of the development results of "Toyota Partner Robot" at the "2005 Japan International Exposition (Nickname: Love, Earth Expo)," in the Tokyo Group Pavilion. Using this as just o­ne step, Toyota Group will continue in the development of the "Toyota Partnet Robot" using the combined knowledge of automobile devlopement and production.

A summary of the advanced technologies involved in the development of the "Toyota Partner Robot" are below.

< "Toyota Partner Robot" Summary >

Type	"Two Legged Walking Type"	"Two Wheeled Running Type"	"Rideable Type"
Primary Application Field	Assistant, Welfare	Production, Mobility	Welfare, Mobility
Special Characteristic	Two legged shape easily accepted by humans, various functions with hands	Shape that can move quickly yet takes up little space, various functions with hands	Shape that a person can ride and go places, enjoyment by manual operation
Height	1200mm	1000mm	1800mm
Weight	35kg	35kg	75kg

< Principle advanced technologies in the "Toyota Partner Robot" >

(1) "Musical Instrument Performace Technology"
Devlopment of "artificial lips" mimicing the softness and subtle movements of human lips. Also, operation of musical instrument with a robotic hand.
(2) "Running, Walking Control Technology"
Building o­n technology used for the development of automobiles, this is a new technology for torso stabilization. Particularly, the posture sensor which detects the inclination of the torso, is an application of an automobile sensor developed by the Toyota Group, that uses a lightweight and low cost high precision sensor.

Also currently under development is the "Wire Driving Force System" where the movements of the legs and torso are o­n actuators controlled by wire, allowing for lightweight and quick movements.
End

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For detailed information, please see here.

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Inspired by:
http://www.toyota.co.jp/jp/news/04/Mar/nt04_0307.html

Movies page:
http://www.toyota.co.jp/jp/special/robot/