Toyota, Honda Racing to Develop Life-Assisting Robots

Tokyo, Aug. 17 (Jiji Press)--Rival Japanese automakers Toyota Motor Corp. <7203> and Honda Motor Co. <7267> are vying to develop robots focused to assist daily life and nursing care for elderly and disabled people. They aim to nurture robots into a new source of growth by applying their technologies acquired through automobile development. In 2011, Toyota unveiled a walk training assist robot that helps users bring their legs forward and support their weights. The company aims to put the robot, now being tested at hospitals, into commercial use at an early date. Another robot developed by Toyota assists home living for people with limited arm or leg mobility. Controlled using a tablet device, the Human Support Robot performs household tasks, including picking up objects off the floor and retrieving objects from high locations. Starting in September, Toyota will join several universities to conduct studies to put the HSR into practical use. Honda, known for its ASIMO bipedal humanoid robot, has been continuing the research and development of walking assist since 1999. The Honda Walking Assist Device, which uses ASIMO technologies, is worn at the waist and thighs and helps the wearer to smoothly lift their knees. Honda plans to begin leases of the device to hospitals and other rehabilitation facilities in November. Toyota and Honda distance themselves from a growing move to develop communication-oriented robots such as Softbank Corp.'s <9984> Pepper to focus on those useful for everyday life. "We have a different way of thinking from Softbank," Honda President Takahiro Hachigo said. END