Photo/Illutration The humanoid robot developed by parties including West Japan Railway Co., seen here in Tokyo’s Minato Ward on June 27, is operated by a human via a purpose-made joystick. It can also be used to cut down trees when a chain saw is installed on its arms. (Kenta Nakamura)

West Japan Railway Co. (JR West) will introduce a humanoid robot to handle maintenance work, such as painting emplacements along railroad tracks and cutting down fallen trees, from this month.

For example, the robot will work along overhead electric lines, where it was previously difficult to replace human workers with machines.

Having a robot to handle such tasks will help the company address a labor shortage because it allows work to be done with fewer personnel than before, officials of the Osaka-based rail operator said.

JR West is introducing just one humanoid, for starters, to do work along its railroad routes in the Keihanshin (Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe) area.

The humanoid robot measures 1 meter tall, has a shoulder width of 1.5 meters and weighs about 600 kilograms. It is equipped with a pair of arms, each of which, combined, can hold an object weighing up to 40 kg.

The robot is operated by a human, who uses a purpose-made joystick connected to the robot, to move its arms.

Officials said the robot was designed so that when it holds a heavy object, the corresponding sensation is felt through the joystick, thereby allowing the operator to work intuitively.

The robot can be hoisted to a height of 12 meters when it is put on the platform of a work vehicle, which is raised and lowered hydraulically.

It can, for example, paint posts that hold overhead electric wires and cut down trees that hinder train services.

Painting now requires only three workers, down from five previously, and cutting down trees requires only two workers, down from three, the officials said.

“It will be a huge help in preventing work-related accidents that involve workers getting electric shocks or falling (from heights), and thereby improve safety,” said JR West President Kazuaki Hasegawa.

In the months and years to come, JR West officials are hoping  to loan and sell the robots to other entities to not only maintain railroads but also replace roadside traffic signals and clean tunnel ceilings.

Related News