Japan robot makers focus on function over form in humanoid machines
Kawasaki Heavy and others unveil models at international exhibition in Tokyo
Kawasaki Heavy Industries released the newest model of its Kaleido humanoid robot on Dec. 3. (Photo by Hiromi Sato)
TOKYO -- Kawasaki Heavy Industries' new prototype robot may not look as human as some of its competitors' machines, and it is equipped with only limited artificial intelligence.
But the company and its Japanese peers are drawing on their experience with industrial robots to create models that can work in real-world environments.
In a demonstration Wednesday simulating a house fire, Kawasaki's Kaleido bipedal robot carefully stepped forward one foot at a time. It set an overturned shelf upright and moves further into the room. It then reached out to a stuffed cat, cradling the stranded pet safely in its arms in front of spectators the International Robot Exhibition 2025 in Tokyo.
Kaleido can recognize its surroundings and walk around, but not all of its actions in the demonstration were fully autonomous. Movements such as righting the shelf and picking up the cat were controlled by a human operator wearing a virtual reality headset.
Compared with the humanoid robots produced by Chinese companies -- fully equipped with AI and capable of dazzling onlookers with dance moves -- Kaleido looks unrefined. But its development history points to a focus on practicality, rather than panache.
The priorities were sturdiness and stability. The robot stands 191-centimeters tall and weighs 99 kilograms, dimensions similar to those of baseball star Shohei Ohtani.
"By giving it thick legs, we made it so its footing is very firm," said Yoshimoto Matsuda, head of Kawasaki's Precision Machinery and Robot Company.
Robot falls can damage the machines and injure people. Kawasaki has designed Kaleido to be less prone to tipping over, and equipped it with sensors to detect its surroundings so it can avoid obstacles or sudden human movements while walking.
The choice to combine autonomous control with partial remote operation during the fire demonstration was deliberate. Kawasaki, which has been developing industrial robots since the 1960s, is fully aware of the complexities of human hand movements. Rather than waiting for advancements in AI, the company judged that enabling human assistance would make the robot usable in real situations sooner.
Maintenance considerations were also a factor. "If a problem occurs where industrial robots work, like an auto factory, we will absolutely respond within 24 hours," said Matsuda. "We have a service system to prevent our clients' production lines from stopping."
Quick troubleshooting is a strength of Japanese industrial robot makers. Because humanoid robots are expected to be used in a wide range of facilities, Kawasaki believes that remote operations will be increasingly important to maintaining that same standard of service.
Other Japanese players share the view that experience with industrial robots can inform development of humanoid ones.
"Hardware like sensors and motors will be Japan's winning edge," said Masahiro Ogawa, president of Yaskawa Electric, which makes robotic arms and other automation technology.
Japanese companies hold high market shares for components such as the servo motors and position-control sensors that move robot joints. Ogawa noted that robot performance will need to improve alongside AI development.
In July, Yaskawa acquired a humanoid robot startup that started at Waseda University. The competition "is still at the starting line," said Ogawa. He said that many humanoid robots today are just for show, but they will become more practical as better motors and other components are developed.
"We've developed component technologies like sensors that mimic hand and finger sensations for our existing robots," said Kenichiro Abe of industrial robot supplier Fanuc.
Fanuc has not announced plans to enter the humanoid robot market, but the company sees it as a technological extension. "If a humanoid shape is useful for manufacturing, we'll implement it," said Abe, indicating the company would emphasize functionality, performance, reliability and cost.
Kawasaki's Matsuda described the humanoid robot development at leading companies in China and the U.S. as "concept-driven." Much like U.S. automaker Tesla's approach to electric vehicles, they are betting on their ability to create a new industry. In contrast, Japanese companies are taking a more incremental approach based on their experience with industrial robots.
"A time will come when Japan's traditional strengths -- manufacturing, hardware, customer service, reliability and ideas -- will become advantages," said Matsuda.
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