TOKYO - GMO AI & Robotics Corp. said Tuesday it will launch a specially equipped vehicle dedicated to respond to maintenance needs for humanoid robots in the event of a breakdown or malfunction, in Tokyo later this month
The GMO Humanoid Ambulance, which was unveiled to the press the same day, is equipped with key parts for a humanoid and repair tools, and an engineer will be on board to repair the humanoids introduced by GMO.
Describing the vehicle as the first of its kind in Japan specializing in humanoid repairs, President Tomohiro Uchida said, "We aim to devote our efforts to initiatives that support the social implementation and operation of humanoids."
To build the necessary infrastructure for the social rollout of humanoid robots, the company has also introduced two services: one that uses data gathered in the field to continuously improve the robots' performance, and another that supports the safe operation of the robots by, for example, monitoring network communications for unauthorized access.
Regarding the social implementation of humanoids in Japan, GMO Internet Group Inc., GMO AI & Robotics' parent company, and Japan Airlines Co. started in May a demonstration experiment using such robots to transport passengers' luggage at Tokyo's Haneda airport, to verify their potential for achieving labor efficiency for ground handling operations.
Meanwhile, KDDI Corp. launched a pilot scheme in Osaka in August in which humanoid robots developed by KDDI and others are used for customer service at railway stations.
The Japanese government is promoting the development of domestic AI as part of its drive to ensure national security and data protection.
