Toyota and Preferred Networks to Begin Joint Development on Service Robots that Cater to Market Needs

Aug 07, 2019 15:03 JST

Source: Toyota Motor Corporation

Using Toyota's Human Support Robot as a base, the two companies will accelerate development by sharing their respective technologies

TOKYO, Aug 07, 2019 - (JCN Newswire) - Toyota Motor Corporation and Preferred Networks, Inc. (PFN) have agreed to engage in joint research and development on Toyota's Human Support Robot (HSR) robotics platform. The two companies aim to develop service robots that cater to market needs at the earliest opportunity.

TOYOTA HSR

In recent years, the scope of robot activity has expanded from industrial use to medical care and logistics. However, there remain many technological issues in the field of service robots, which are required to integrate into individuals' lives and make decisions and respond appropriately to various situations.

By combining their respective technologies and know-how, Toyota and PFN intend to develop service robots capable of learning in typical living environments and executing a variety of tasks.

Specifically, Toyota will first loan several dozen HSRs to PFN; over the following three years, the two companies will then collaborate in research and development. Toyota and PFN will share their respective development information and technologies, including existing intellectual property. The two companies will also be free to use the results of their joint research as they see fit. In this way, Toyota and PFN seek to accelerate development aimed at the practical realization of service robots.

Nobuhiko Koga, Chief Officer of Toyota's Frontier Research Center, commented: "Since around 2004, Toyota has engaged in the development of partner robots that support both people with disabilities and the elderly, based on the concept of 'coexisting with humans and assisting them in their daily lives.' In 2012, we developed the HSR, which has a basic robotics platform for supporting independent living. Up to now, HSR has been used in research and development at 49 organizations in 13 countries including Japan, and has been highly praised as a robotics platform. Going forward toward our goal to develop service robots that better cater to the needs of our customers, we are excited by the prospect of collaborating in research and development with PFN, which boasts world-class intelligence technologies."

Toru Nishikawa, President & CEO of PFN, said: "Since our establishment in 2014, at PFN we have used deep-learning to develop intelligent hardware for automobiles and industrial robots. At CEATEC Japan 2018, we demonstrated a robot capable of cleaning a room in a fully automated manner; we applied deep-learning technologies to create an HSR that could pick up and put down undefined objects, draw up its own operation plans, and respond to human instructions. HSR is an outstanding robotic platform. By engaging in joint research and development with Toyota, who created the HSR, we hope to accelerate development of the functions necessary for robots to work in human living environments. Our goal is to realize the practical implementation of service robots for the first time in the world."

Going forward, Toyota and PFN will work on joint development of service robots that have the intelligence to respond to various needs so that we can contribute to enhancing the quality of life for more people.

Contact:

Public Affairs Division
Global Communications Department
Toyota Motor Corporation
Tel: +81-3-3817-9926

Source: Toyota Motor Corporation
Sectors: Automotive

Related Press Release

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing takes a one-two in Croatian thriller

April 22 2024 09:47 JST

Toyota Launches All-New Land Cruiser "250" Series in Japan

April 18 2024 12:39 JST

Lexus presents Time at the 2024 Milan Design Week

April 16 2024 17:49 JST

New circuit challenge for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing

April 15 2024 16:21 JST

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing back on asphalt for Croatian challenge

April 12 2024 18:36 JST

Daihatsu and Toyota to Reform Structures towards the Revitalization of Daihatsu

April 08 2024 12:37 JST

Toyota Completes Toyota Technical Center Shimoyama Research and Development Facility for Making Ever-better Cars

April 02 2024 10:28 JST

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing roars to fourth successive Safari triumph

April 01 2024 09:47 JST

Toyota Releases Sales, Production, and Export Results for February 2024

March 28 2024 12:35 JST

PEVE to change name to TOYOTA BATTERY Co., Ltd. and produce batteries for a wide range of electric vehicles

March 27 2024 14:13 JST

More Press release >>

Latest Press Release

Fujitsu SX Survey reveals key success factors for sustainability
Apr 23, 2024 10:25 JST

Fujitsu and METRON collaborate to drive ESG success: slashing energy costs, boosting productivity with new manufacturing industry solutions
Apr 22, 2024 16:09 JST

NEC Strengthens Commitment to Space Industry with Investment in Seraphim Space Venture Fund II
Apr 22, 2024 15:09 JST

Soft Space Launches the First and Only JCB Payment Gateway in Malaysia
Apr 22, 2024 15:00 JST

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing takes a one-two in Croatian thriller
Apr 22, 2024 10:47 JST

First-ever Mazda CX-80 Crossover SUV Unveiled in Europe
Apr 19, 2024 13:50 JST

Fujitsu develops technology to convert corporate digital identity credentials, enabling participation of non-European companies in European data spaces
Apr 19, 2024 10:17 JST

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and NGK to Jointly Develop Hydrogen Purification System from Ammonia Cracking Gas
Apr 18, 2024 17:01 JST

Toyota Launches All-New Land Cruiser "250" Series in Japan
Apr 18, 2024 13:39 JST

Fujitsu and Oracle collaborate to deliver sovereign cloud and AI capabilities in Japan
Apr 18, 2024 11:14 JST

Eisai: Research on Treatments for Alzheimer's Disease Based on Its Pathological Mechanisms Recieves Award for Science and Technology (Research Category)
Apr 18, 2024 10:53 JST

All-New Triton Confirmed as First Double-Cab Pickup Truck to Achieve 2024 Five-Star ANCAP Safety Rating
Apr 18, 2024 09:22 JST

Eisai's Antiepileptic Drug Fycompa Injection Formulation Launched In Japan
Apr 17, 2024 16:17 JST

Honda Unveils Next-generation EV Series for China
Apr 17, 2024 12:15 JST

Lexus presents Time at the 2024 Milan Design Week
Apr 16, 2024 18:49 JST

Mitsubishi Corporation Announces Participation in a DAC Project in Louisiana, USA
Apr 16, 2024 14:36 JST

New circuit challenge for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing
Apr 15, 2024 17:21 JST

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing back on asphalt for Croatian challenge
Apr 12, 2024 19:36 JST

Heidelberg Materials North America Announces Latest Milestone in Edmonton CCUS Project
Apr 12, 2024 14:39 JST

MHIAEL Completes Expansion of the its Nagasaki Plant for Manufacture of Aero Engine Combustors
Apr 11, 2024 18:08 JST

More Latest Release >>