Business / Corporate Jun 29, 2021
SoftBank pulls the plug on its flagship Pepper 'humanoid' robot
by Takahiko Hyuga and Pavel Alpeyev
The ¥198,000 robot was a project Masayoshi Son once personally championed as a symbol of his conglomerate’s ambitions in AI and technology.
Commentary / Japan May 18, 2021
In meeting today’s great challenges: Think 'moonshot'
by Brad Glosserman
There are many potential moonshots, from creating a COVID-19 vaccine to solving global warming. What makes them different is they address extraordinary, if not existential, challenges.
Business Apr 14, 2021
Workers need to make space for robots, South Korean minister says
by Sam Kim and Jeong-Ho Lee
While people will have to increase their adaptability to work in a fast-changing high-tech environment, policymakers will also need to play their part, the minister said.
National Apr 8, 2021
The system can screen up to 2,500 samples per day. The university in Aichi Prefecture said that trials using actual samples have shown that it can produce accurate results.
Business / Corporate Apr 6, 2021
SoftBank Group to acquire 40% stake in AutoStore for $2.8 billion
SoftBank Group will buy AutoStore shares from private equity firm Thomas H. Lee Partners and other shareholders, aiming to close the deal later in the month.
World / Science & Health Apr 6, 2021
Rise of the 'roboplants' as scientists fuse nature with tech
Remote-controlled Venus flytrap "roboplants" and crops that tell farmers when they are hit by disease could become reality after scientists developed a high-tech system for communicating with vegetation. Researchers in Singapore linked up plants to electrodes capable of monitoring the weak electrical pulses naturally emitted ...
National / Social Issues Mar 4, 2021
Robot pets help ease virus isolation in Japan
by Harumi Ozawa
From fluffy mechanical seals and mechanical singing companions to devices that simply crave love and attention, the pandemic has boosted sales nationwide.
Business Feb 16, 2021
Moves to bring new industry to Fukushima progressing, 10 years on
The Fukushima Innovation Coast Framework, led by the national and prefectural governments, has attracted companies from robotics and other advanced industries from across Japan.
National / Science & Health Jan 25, 2021
Fukushima College robot wins top prize for nuclear decommissioning
Students in 14 teams from colleges across the country were tasked this year with developing robots to remove fuel debris, organizers said.
National Jan 19, 2021
Japan eyes use of robots to boost COVID-19 testing as Olympics loom
A Kawasaki Heavy Industries-built prototype uses a robotic arm to take a sample from a person's nose and can deliver the results in about 80 minutes.