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April 26, 2024
 

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ROBOTS

Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, during the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference in Cupertino, California, on June 5, 2023
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 4, 2024
Apple shifts focus from EV to home robotics as ‘next big thing’
Apple’s pursuit of the "next big thing” has been an obsession since the Steve Jobs era, but it’s hard to envision a product that could match the iPhone.
Activists opposed to lethal autonomous weapons, or so-called killer robots, protest in Berlin in March 2019.
COMMENTARY
Mar 27, 2024
Don’t fear AI in war, fear autonomous weapons
It’s not the algorithmic intelligence in our weapons and nukes but automaticity that poses an existential risk.
Jacky Im, Elizabeth Chan and Kate Maco are the founders of Neptune Robotics, a firm building robots that remove debris from the hulls of ships to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.
BUSINESS / Tech
Mar 27, 2024
Underwater robots offering practical route to greener shipping
Technology that removes the algae, barnacles and debris that accumulate on ships' hulls can reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency.
An unmanned robot navigates across a street during a demonstration of Uber Eats' robot delivery service in Tokyo on Tuesday.
BUSINESS / Tech
Mar 6, 2024
Uber Eats Japan begins deliveries with self-driving robots
The company has rolled out the service in Tokyo's Nihonbashi area and plans to introduce it in other places as well.
Jeff Bezos — the world’s second-richest person, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Ranking — is investing in a business that’s developing human-like robots.
BUSINESS / Tech
Feb 24, 2024
Bezos and Nvidia join OpenAI in funding humanoid robot startup
The startup Figure AI is raising about $675 million in a funding round that carries a pre-money valuation of roughly $2 billion.
Honda's four-seater CiKoMa EV can travel at speeds of up to 20 kph.
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 1, 2024
Honda to test automated EV and logistic robot in Ibaraki Prefecture
The four-seater EV, named CiKoMa, can travel at speeds of up to 20 kph.
Researchers have replicated the eye structure of insects like bees that can navigate visually based on the intensity and polarization of sunlight.
ENVIRONMENT / Energy
Dec 27, 2023
Insect compasses, fire-fighting vines: 2023's nature-inspired tech
Even as human-caused climate change threatens the environment, nature continues to inspire our technological advancement.
A robot that uses artificial intelligence to automatically harvest cherry tomatoes in the Netherlands
BUSINESS / Tech
Nov 26, 2023
Use of AI-based robots on the rise in Japanese agriculture
Large-scale greenhouse farmers are leading the way, having already begun to use AI-equipped robots.
A man stands next to a robot in use at ROLEC Gehause-Systeme in Rinteln, Germany on Oct. 6
BUSINESS / Companies
Oct 31, 2023
As baby boomers retire, German businesses turn to robots
Small and medium-sized companies are turning to automation as the gradual retirement of the post-war "baby boom" generation tightens the labor squeeze.
Akinori Ishii, of startup Tsubame Industries Co., sits inside the cockpit of ARCHAX, a giant human-piloted robot developed by him and CEO Ryo Yoshida, in Yokohama on Sept. 27.
BUSINESS / Tech
Oct 2, 2023
Japan startup develops 'Gundam'-like robot with $3 million price tag
The 3.5-ton robot has two modes: the upright "robot mode" and a "vehicle mode" in which it can travel up to 10 kilometers per hour.
An agricultural robot used in Ota, Gunma Prefecture. The agriculture ministry is currently supporting the development and testing of related technologies by companies in 217 districts across Japan.
BUSINESS / Economy
Sep 25, 2023
As farmers gray, Japan pins hopes on robots and smart agriculture
The agriculture ministry is currently supporting the development and testing of related technologies by companies in 217 districts across Japan.
Robots carry items around Amazon Japan's logistics base in Chiba.
BUSINESS / Tech
Sep 17, 2023
Logistics robots coming into wider use in Japan
Companies are looking to logistics robots in response to the popularity of e-commerce, as well as present and potential labor shortages.
A child visits the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai on July 6.
BUSINESS / Tech
Aug 30, 2023
Concerns raised over the 'dangerous' ideology shaping AI debate
Long-termism, and linked ideologies like transhumanism and effective altruism, holds huge sway in universities and throughout the tech sector.
The CSUN Assistive Technology Conference, where the AI Suitcase was introduced, in Anaheim, California, in March
BUSINESS
Jul 30, 2023
AI luggage for people with visual impairments nets rave reviews
The groundbreaking assistive technology recently underwent its first overseas public trial, garnering significant interest and sparking discussions about its future practical applications.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Jul 22, 2023
A sweaty robot may help humans understand impact of soaring heat
How can we protect ourselves in a warming planet? To answer this burning questions, Arizona researchers have deployed a robot that can breathe, shiver and sweat.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Jul 8, 2023
AI robots at U.N. reckon they could run the world better
They robots were assembled for what was billed as the world's first news conference with a packed panel of AI-enabled humanoid social robots.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 4, 2023
Tokyo researchers develop robot arms to 'unlock creativity'
The Jizai Arms were inspired by traditional Japanese puppetry and a quasi-horror short story.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jun 6, 2023
Japanese AI startup launches robot for home use
Weighing 10 kilograms, the Kachaka robot can carry up to 20 kg, including its attached table. It moves as fast as 80 centimeters per second.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 2, 2023
Your first robot butler will need human eyes
Automatons that clean your house are getting closer to reality, but they’ll still need people to steer them for several years
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
May 29, 2023
Japan startup raises ¥4 billion to build space robot workforce
The comapny's CEO believes it’s too risky and impractical for humans to assemble and inspect machinery in space, while equipment now used is far too expensive.
'So hot you can't breathe': Extreme heat hits the Philippines
A pedestrian cools himself with a folding hand fan as he waits for a ride along a road in Manila on Wednesday, as extreme heat hit the Philippines.
Over 40% of Japan's municipalities at risk of vanishing, study finds
Of 1,729 local municipalities nationwide, 744 have been identified as being at risk of disappearing.
Princess Aiko makes debut at imperial garden party
Princess Aiko attends an imperial garden party in Tokyo on Tuesday.
'Sugar Baby Riri' gets nine-year prison term over romance scam
Mai Watanabe, who went by the moniker “Sugar Baby Riri,” dated older men and swindled them out of money by telling them fictitious heartbreaking stories about herself to gain their sympathy.
Japan's former PM Aso meets Trump for talks on security and economy
Former U.S. President Donald Trump and Taro Aso, vice president of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, in New York on Tuesday. The Japanese government’s top spokesman on Wednesday played down the meeting as one conducted "in the capacity of one lawmaker" and “without the government’s involvement.”
For amateur sumo, a fresh start offers hope against time-wasting and gamesmanship
Wrestlers prepare for the start of a bout at the 2023 Sumo World Championships in Tokyo. Starting this month, placing one hand on the clay first is no longer allowed.
LDP veteran Nikai's youngest son expected to succeed him in Wakayama
Toshihiro Nikai, former secretary-general of the Liberal Democratic Party, announced in March that he would not run in the next Lower House election to take responsibility for the political funds scandal that rocked his party and his own faction.
New workers name Shohei Ohtani as 'dream boss' for two years running
Shohei Ohtani has been overwhelmingly voted as the “dream boss” for people who started working in April, according to a survey.
A craft beer crawl through Tokyo’s top bars, brewpubs and dives
If all you drink is Asahi, Sapporo and Kirin, you're depriving yourself of some of the best craft beer Tokyo has to offer — and there sure is a lot of it out there.
'Sugar Baby Riri' gets nine-year prison term over romance scam
Mai Watanabe, who went by the moniker “Sugar Baby Riri,” dated older men and swindled them out of money by telling them fictitious heartbreaking stories about herself to gain their sympathy.

Podcast

From easily navigable train stations to the helpfulness of its municipal staff, Tokyo has earned high praise for its commitment to accessibility for disabled travelers.
[Rebroadcast] Japan is doing better on accessibility than you may think

Longform

Later this month, author Shogo Imamura will open Honmaru, a bookstore that allows other businesses to rent its shelves. It's part of a wave of ideas Japanese booksellers are trying to compete with online spaces.
The story isn't over for Japan's bookstores
By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Prize winner Maki Imoto catches light with glass
Prize winner Maki Imoto catches light with glass

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