Robot Trends in Japan: Robo Museum and Cafe to open in Nagoya

Written by: Sven Kilian on August 30, 2006 at 1:31 am | In Technology & Gadget Trends |

I have not been a great robot maniac before I came to Japan. But being here, experiencing the rapid development and the common sense of “robots are our friends and part of a future society”…it has become one of my favorite topics, in my job as well as in private. But robots over here are not just a show-off at exhibitons for future technolgies. They have started to be marketed, sold and put into action, even though only in limited numbers. The family robot Wakamaru for example was sold last year in a limited number to private households. Small robots that can be operated by mobile phone from anywhere and have a camera and speaker/microphone function are available at rather low cost. Enryu, the rescue robot is becoming a good helper in various catastrophic situations. Entertainment robots like the Near Me robot cat are increasing in number even though it is a tough process for the makers to enter the mass market at high quality. But this will change in no time…

Now the next real cool and must see place will open from October 2006 in Nagoya: Japan`s first robot museum. Besides the museum itself it will also feature the worlds first specialized robot shop “Robots future department”. There will be about 1000 products from real robots to accessories. The company “Gyrowalk” aims to fascinate children and adults alike with the robot dream. Walking on 2 legs robots, mobile phone controllable robots, robots with human voice interfaces…anything up to about US$ 5000 will be for sale here. But also real affordable robots for kids will be on display. Apart from this, targeting the 40 year old age group that grew up with robot anime, old style robot toys and accessories are going to be sold.
The museum will feature hero anime robots from the past as well as current technology and future concepts like partner robots. As soon as its open…a must see..at least for me

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