A Japanese company is cheering on technological innovations by revealing the world's first cheerleading robots.
Murata Manufacturing Co., the Japanese maker of smartphone parts and other electronics, unveiled the robots on Thursday in Tokyo. The "kawaii," or cute cheerleading robots resemble dolls with glowing eyes and dark hair made from sponge-like material. It's all a bit unsettling.
The squad of 10 robots uses ultrasonic microphones and infrared sensors that are controlled from a wireless network to share their position. This allows them to perform synchronized dance routines, like moving into heart-shaped formation to J-Pop music. The cheerleaders balance on steel balls that rotate, which allows them to move around. "If one gets sick, we can substitute her," says Murata spokesman Koichi Yoshikawa.
The company spent about a year and a half developing the 14-inch tall robot cheerleaders with a team of 20 engineers. After investing the time and money into the humanoid robots, they will not be put on sale. "We designed the cheerleader robots to cheer people up and make them smile," says Yoshikawa.
The company is looking to use the robots to showoff their technological capabilities. The robot's technology could be used to help traffic control networks and reduce accidents.
"We believe that the wireless communication of sensor data could become a core infrastructure for the advanced integration of people and objects in smart societies," said Yuichi Kojima, senior vice president of Murata.
The cheer sequence showcases what the front-to-back, side-to side and rotation sensor technology and wireless network can do.
The combination of different sensors in the robots shows that Murata can become a provider of technology solutions. The sensors could be used in wearable technology and autonomous driving controls. "Their features can be summed up as '3S'" stability, synchronization and sensing and communication," Yoshikawa says.
Murata currently owns a 60 percent global share in connectivity modules, which provide Internet access to mobile phones through radio signals, and a 95 percent global share in the shock sensor market.
Murata also revealed earlier robots including two versions of the bicycle-riding Murata Boy in 1991 and 2005, and the unicyclist Murata Girl in 2008. Murata will celebrate its 70th anniversary in October.
The company will show its innovative spirit to Japan during the Ceatec tech expo outside Tokyo from Oct. 7 to 11.
