ALBAWABA - The Japanese railway company "JR West" has announced the deployment of a robot inspired by villainous characters from 1980s anime to assist in railway maintenance operations.
This intriguing decision aims to address two major issues faced by the company: labor shortages and high accident rates at work sites.
A Metallic Robot with Supernatural Abilities
This human-like robot, reaching a height of 12 meters, is a unique addition to the JR West team. The robot is housed in a compartment at the rear of a special truck that travels on the rails, controlled by an operator from the cab.
Shinkansen Hello Kitty high-speed train operated by Japan Rail JR West on Sanyo Shinkansen line in Kurashiki, Japan. (Shutterstock)
The operator can view the robot's surroundings through advanced cameras and remotely operate its arms and hands thanks to cutting-edge technology.
This machine boasts special capabilities that enhance its efficiency in various tasks. It can easily carry tools weighing up to 40 kilograms, use a brush to paint with precision, or even skillfully operate a saw.
Currently, the robot's main tasks focus on trimming tree branches along the track and repainting the metal frames that support cables above the trains.
Reasons for Creating the Robot
This new approach represents a triumph of invention and technology, helping to mitigate the labor shortage in Japan, especially with the increasing number of elderly people. It also significantly reduces the risk of work-related accidents, thereby promoting a safer working environment and improving labor conditions.
According to Kazuaki Hasegawa, President of JR West, "We hope to use robots in various maintenance tasks of our infrastructure in the future. This represents a challenge in addressing the labor shortage, but it also offers a huge opportunity to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our operations and enhance safety in the railway sector."
This robot embodies an important step towards automating railway maintenance tasks, thereby boosting operational efficiency and improving safety in the railway sector.
