In a move to address labor shortages and enhance safety in Japan's aging workforce, West Japan Railway (JR West) has introduced a new humanoid robot designed to handle the demanding tasks of railway maintenance.
TOPSHOT - This photo taken on June 27, 2024 shows a Yamanote Line train pulling into Nippori station, one of 30 stations along the JR Yamanote Line in Tokyo. Photo by RICHARD A. BROOKS/AFP via Getty Images
Japan Deploys Humanoid Robot to Do Railway Maintenance
AFP reports that the newly deployed robot, mounted on a truck that can drive on rails, is operated remotely by a human sitting in a cockpit on the truck.
The operator "sees" through the robot's eyes via cameras, controlling its powerful limbs and hands with precision. This setup allows the robot to perform tasks that would be dangerous for human workers.
With a vertical reach of 12 meters (40 feet), the robot can carry objects weighing up to 40 kilograms (88 pounds).
It is equipped with various attachments, including a brush for painting and a chainsaw for cutting. Initially, its primary tasks will include trimming tree branches along the railway and painting metal frames that support cables above the trains .
Japan's Labor Shortage Problem
Japan has been grappling with severe labor shortages, which have led to a record number of bankruptcies. In the first half of the year alone, 182 companies declared bankruptcy due to the inability to find sufficient workers, NHK World reports.
This issue has particularly affected the construction and logistics sectors, which together accounted for 40% of these failures. In response, many businesses are offering higher pay to lure workers.
Companies like JR West now look at humanoid robots as a way to mitigate these workforce challenges. By automating hazardous and physically demanding tasks, the company hopes to reduce the number of accidents involving workers falling from heights or suffering electric shocks.
"In the future, we hope to use machines for all kinds of maintenance operations of our infrastructure," said JR West president Kazuaki Hasegawa, indicating that this initiative could serve as a model for addressing labor shortages nationwide.
Japan's venture into using humanoid robots for railway maintenance is part of a broader global trend. For instance, the Chinese company Astribot has unveiled the S1 robot, which can move at an impressive speed of 32.8 feet per second while managing a payload of 22 pounds per arm.
Similarly, logistics giant GXO is testing Apptronik's Apollo humanoid robot in warehouses. Apollo, which is 5'8" tall and can lift 55 pounds, is designed to operate safely alongside human workers with features like customizable safety zones and force control architecture.
Even tech giant Tesla is making strides in this field. CEO Elon Musk recently announced plans to deploy 1,000 of its Optimus humanoid robots in factories by next year.
