Bridge builder Kawada Industries Inc. and two partners unveiled a humanoid robot Thursday designed to take on work at construction sites and other hazardous sites.
The HRP-3P robot demonstrated its functions at Kawada's plant in the town of Haga, Tochigi Prefecture, walking on an icy surface as well as walking under simulated heavy rain.
The battery-powered robot, which is 160 cm tall and weighs 65 kg, carries out remote-controlled and preprogrammed work.
Kawada, Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. and the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology will continue to work on the HRP-3P in a bid to develop a practical humanoid robot within five to 10 years' time.
The partners developed the HRP-3P at a cost of 500 million yen on behalf of the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization, an independent administrative body.
