Clean and Powerful Water-Hydraulic Robot Arm
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Clean and Powerful Water-Hydraulic Robot Arm
Powered by Air and Water
We have developed a new type of water-hydraulically driven robotic arm that delivers power comparable to that of oil hydraulics. This robot can control the position and force of its paw by high water pressure generated from air pressure, and in a six-month trial in FY2022, two robot arms were attached to a remotely operated submersible (ROV) and were confirmed to work underwater. The company will hold hearings with various parties and work to expand the seeds of this technology to various markets, including land-based applications.
- Affiliation:
- Ritsumeikan University
College of SciencCollege of Science and Engineering,
Department of Robotics
Humanoid Systems Laboratory
- Representative:
- Hyon Sang Ho
Professor,
Ritsumeikan University
College of Science and Engineering, Department of Robotics
Hyon Sang Ho PhD
He received his M.S. from Waseda University and Ph.D. from Tokyo Institute of Technology. After working as an assistant at Tohoku University and a researcher at ATR Brain Information Laboratories, he assumed his current post as professor at the Department of Robotics, College of Science and Engineering, Ritsumeikan University. Engaged in research and development of motion control theory and humanoid robots.
SOCIALSocial Implementation
Offering Safety and Low Cost to a Wide Variety of Workplaces Seeking Robotization
There are countless work environments that are subject to high temperatures and high humidity, but even for relatively simple tasks, robotization (unmanned, labor-saving) has lagged behind, leaving many sites dependent on manual labor. This is because the costs exceed the performance results. We would like to make the most of the safety and low cost of our technology, working steadily with people onsite to achieve the social implementation of the seed technology.
ORIGINALITYUniqueness, Passion for Development
We Achieve Oil- Hydraulic-like Power with Clean Energy
Similarly to currently available high-pressure cleaners, a robot arm connected by a water-pressure hose to a drive unit in a remote location performs the work. The features of the robot arm include: (1) clean and risk-free of electrical leakage because it does not use oil or electricity for its main body, (2) easy replacement and repair in case of breakage, and (3) flexible and powerful in operation. Therefore, it can not only be used in standard outdoor work such as agriculture, but also for various types of remote work in adverse environments such as high places or underwater.
VISIONDream, Outlook, Business Image
Aiming for Commercialization in 2028 while Conducting Meticulous Demonstration Experiments
First, we will customize the system for a small number of applications and conduct demonstration tests. For example, we plan to attach the system to a mobile cart for work at high elevations and to perform long-duration underwater work using a lifting device from a quay wall. The company aims to enter the 200 billion yen work ROV market and commercialize the system in 2028. In addition, we seek the possibility of independent sales of the actuator and intellectual property licensing.
