| It seems that Japanese automakers are not only | | | | Toyota has also given a glimpse of what the future |
| competing in terms of vehicle models but are also | | | | holds in terms of new technology like the wheelchair |
| rivals in the field of robotics. If Honda (producer of high | | | | like "mobility robots" that are designed to offer |
| quality Acura CL brake booster) has the ASIMO, | | | | "bed-to-bed" services to people especially the elderly |
| Toyota has come up with a robot that can play the | | | | and the sick. Actually the concept used for this |
| "Pomp and Circumstance" on the violin. | | | | technology was derived from cars that take people |
| Toyota has introduced its musically inclined | | | | "door-to-door". |
| 5-foot-tall-all-white robot last Thursday. The robot's | | | | If you are to compare Toyota with the other |
| mechanical fingers are precisely programmed to press | | | | automakers that are involved in robotics as mentioned |
| the right strings while its other arm was used for | | | | Honda with its ASIMO, Hitachi Ltd., Fujitsu Ltd., and NEC |
| bowing. The movements were perfectly coordinated | | | | Corp.--Japan's biggest seller of automobiles is a late |
| allowing the robot to effortlessly play the violin. | | | | bloomer. Just take Honda for instance which has |
| This robot-playing-violin is not the first of its kind, | | | | started working on robots since 1986 believing that |
| Toyota has previously shown robots that can play the | | | | such technology would play an important role in |
| trumpets and roll around working as guides. According | | | | delivering mobility in the future. Its ASIMO robot an |
| to Toyota President Katsuaki Watanabe robotics will | | | | acronym for Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility or |
| be an important part of the company in the coming | | | | simply "legs" in Japanese was first offered in the year |
| years. Toyota will also create robots for used at | | | | 2000 for rental. It is also one of the most advanced |
| hospitals, for its facilities and for other places where | | | | humanoids in the world considering the fact that it can |
| robotics may be applied. The automaker is also hoping | | | | do primary body function such as walk, jog, wave, |
| to put what it calls as partner robots to real use by | | | | evade obstacles, and can even carry on simple |
| 2010. | | | | conversations. |
| Mr. Watanabe has told reporters at the Toyota | | | | The ASIMO also looks like a real-life child dressed in a |
| showroom in Tokyo, "We want to create robots that | | | | white space-suit. This remarkable advancement made |
| are useful for people in everyday life." He further | | | | on the ASIMO is what Toyota would like to surpass |
| stated that it is not that surprising for the company to | | | | and to achieve this goal the company is working with |
| venture into robotics since it's a natural extension of | | | | universities to speed up research and development on |
| the automaker's robots used in manufacturing and in | | | | robotics. |
| the development of auto-related technology such as | | | | In addition to robots, Toyota is still continuing its |
| the use of artificial intelligence for the sensors and | | | | research on biofuels while Honda is expanding its other |
| pre-crash safety systems. | | | | business such as its jet and motorcycle units. |