(NUT), a UNAI member institution in Japan serving as the Hub for , has been a world-leading institution in the development of disaster response robots used to save lives and prevent damage from spreading in times of disaster.
Rescue robots have been used for many years and their technology has improved dramatically over the years, including their mechanical reliability when employed in the field. Due to the wide array and complexity of disasters experienced not only in Japan but around the world, innovation is a critical factor in robot technology, which is considered a next generation industry that can foster employment and economic development and help advance the through practical solutions.
According to the 2019 International Telecommunications Union report, , “the growing dexterity of robots makes them suitable in disaster situations that are too dangerous for humans or rescue animals” and “breakthroughs are being achieved in Japan, where there is the possibility for commercialization of robots designed specifically for disasters.”
On 23 October 2004, a 6.8 magnitude earthquake occurred in the Chuetsu district of Niigata Prefecture resulting in 68 deaths, 4,795 injured people and about 16,000 collapsed homes. The earthquake damage was estimated to be more than 2 times the annual budget of Niigata Prefecture and proved the need to have readily available tools to help with mitigation efforts.
Following the disaster in Chuetsu, Nagaoka University of Technology partnered with the Nagaoka Iron Industrial Youth Research Association to develop rescue robots through a team led and coordinated by NUT associate professor Dr. Tetsuya Kimura.?
Rescue robots are specifically designed to assist in the search and rescue of persons following a disaster, and NUT has partnered with several local companies to increase development and production capabilities.?
Students, many of whom are enrolled in the College of Technology and have a particular interest in manufacturing, are also involved in the research and development of rescue robots. The NuTech R team, a student robotics group on campus, has successfully participated in competitions held in Japan to promote innovation in this area. In such events, rescue robots compete for the speed and accuracy of discovering puppets representing disaster victims. The development of this type of robot is critical in a country where natural disasters are not an uncommon occurrence. “The stimulation of intellectual curiosity is essential to shape the technical and human basis of the robotics industry,” the team members said.
To learn more about the work of the UNAI SDG Hubs, including Nagaoka University of Technology, click here.