A technological innovation in the field of robotics is currently emerging from the production line of the Japanese electronics giant Fujitsu
In Japan, there are huge department stores and malls that cover extremely large areas - stores where it's quite easy to lose your way. The locals are not the main sufferers of this problem. Foreigners from the West who do not speak or read Japanese suffer much more than them.
Fujitsu has developed a robot that will replace the flight attendants who guide and direct the shopping public in the department stores. Each robot is equipped with a voice recognition system, a camera and sensors. His height is 1.30 meters - about the height of a 54th grader. It moves on wheels. In November it will be offered for sale for 20 thousand dollars per unit. The price will cover only the computer and the mechanical assemblies. The manufacturers refused to reveal how much they invested in the unique software. Fujitsu is preparing to sell 30-XNUMX of it per year. We have already given it a name: "Anon" - RT in English: "exciting innovation on a communication network".
In addition to the fact that the robot knows how to navigate the space in the store, it may also be very helpful in a large office, which is frequented by many customers during the day and thus serve as a guide-accompanying guide for any guest who has lost his way. The computer was fed a detailed map of the area that the robot "overcomes" in its movement. Its movement speed: 3 km/h - that is, the "robot attendant" has never had to speed up the road and always has free time.
The developers have designed one version that can be used as a tour guide that directs guests to free tables in the restaurant - and can also be used as an "errand boy" in the office. The mechanical arms are able to lift a weight of up to half a kilogram. It is therefore possible to add a carrying device or a trailer cart to the "errand boy" and he will place the envelopes and other items in it that are often moved, from room to room, from bureau to bureau - inside a large office.
Such robots are required in many of the lowest-level service jobs, but Japan suffers from a shortage of cheap labor. It has a decrease in the birth rate and an increase in the rate of the aging population. At the feasibility show held by Fujitsu for technology reporters, the robot-steward with the round face, introduced them in a feminine voice, "Hello, welcome to Fujitsu. My name is Anon. are you a journalist Please sign up at the next table. Please have an identification badge."
But not everything in this display worked 2 percent and smoothly. The hall was full of guests. The robot had a hard time making its way between them. He "missed" a basket full of explanatory leaflets that he was supposed to direct the journalists to and accompany them. In another experiment, he moved forward and was supposed to place a box on a table - but it fell out of his hands several times, even though the distance traveled was XNUMX meters or maybe less than that, from his starting point.
But the robot's engineers said that the faults would be fixed immediately. Fujitsu is recognized as a leading manufacturer of robots for industry, service and entertainment. The big secret behind every robot like "Anon" is of course the software. She is the one who will give the biggest business boost.
According to the forecast of the society's scientists, by the year 2010 the entire market of service robots in the world, such as "Anon", will exceed 1 billion dollars. If he builds a mass production line for such robots, they will probably sell for 18 thousand dollars a unit - so the income from his sales will increase even more.
Therefore, don't be surprised if soon when you arrive at a shop or restaurant in Tokyo, a robot will approach you and guide you on how to find your way around the place or lead you to an empty table - and also say thank you.
