JAPAN and the WORLD Magazine JULY ISSUE 2015 #Issue 12 | Page 65

ROBOTICS
GRABIT
you tell us about Japan’s strengths
and what it can bring to the global
robotics scene?
A Japan’s industry saw robots not only as
labor cost reduction tools, but also as quality
improvement tools. With its broad industrial
base, Japan was able to leap ahead of the
rest of the world in the broad range of robot
applications. In my opinion, Japan has the
best know-how in the world to successfully
utilize robots on the factory floor. If Japan
takes that knowledge combined with
innovative designs to the non-industrial
markets like health care and home robotics
it can lead the world there as well.
In my opinion, Japan has the
best know-how in the world
to successfully utilize robots
on the factory floor.
Grabit’s grippers will provide factory floors such as the Tesla
factory floor depicted above with new handling options.
Q How are the bilateral relations
succeed in new markets. I think all global
between Japan and the United States
robotic companies need to be open in this
when it comes to robot technology?
respect.
Are there any partnerships or
cooperation agreements in place?
What would you like to see in
Q Robotics—and particularly robots
the future of Japan-US robotics
with a high degree of artificial
cooperation?
intelligence—fascinate but also
worry people. Do you think
A I believe Japanese companies are more
humanity is ready for “advanced”
open to partnerships today than in the past,
robots, notably from an ethical point
though they need to open up even more in
of view?
my opinion.
In the 1990s and 2000s I found Japan very A The latest artificial intelligence (AI)
technology that is applicable to robotics
cooperative in setting up supply contracts
represents a tiny fraction of the capability
with my company to sell their robots with our
of the human brain. AI developments
controllers. Our company had state of the art
have been very impressive but tend to be
controllers with integrated vision, and we
application specific. In other words, AI
needed reliable robot arms to complete our
that recognizes a single image in millions
offering; but I found Japan reluctant to buy
of picture samples is completely different
our controllers to control their robots. In
than the AI used for a move in chess, voice
my opinion, Japanese companies need to be
recognition or automated translation. We
more open to purchasing technology from
are not even close to providing human
other companies in the world. This would
like, general-purpose decision making for
allow Japan to build on their excellent robot
application strengths and then enter and
robotics. But on the other hand, when we
define the application for the robot, AI
tools will be developed and used. This will
accelerate robot growth well beyond the
factory floor.
As far as the “worry”, it is justified. That is
why the Robotics Industries Association for
which I served on the Board and as President
has always developed and updated clear and
specific safety standards for the application
of industrial robots. This practice needs
to apply to robotics in all markets and
applications. The same simulation tools
that are used to develop and test the “robot
response” can also be used to develop unsafe
scenarios in a virtual environment. I like to
refer to Isaac Asimov’s three rules of robotics
in I, Robot, a collection of nine short stories
depicting the interaction of humans, robots
and morality:
A robot may not injure a human being or,
through inaction, allow a human being to
come to harm.
A robot must obey the or ders given it by
human beings, except where such orders
would conflict with the First Law.
A robot must protect its own existence as
long as such protection does not conflict
with the First or Second Laws.
As long as developers in AI
follow these rules and robot
companies follow safety
standards, we can watch a
fascinating robotic industry
growth that will improve the
standard of living for all.
Charlie Duncheon (left), receives the Plug and Play Expo award on behalf of Grabit in September 2014.
As long as developers in AI follow these
rules and robot companies follow safety
standards, we can watch a fascinating
robotic industry growth that will improve
the standard of living for all.
JULY 2015 // 65