In response to the devastating tsunami that struck the country in March, Japan has announced its preparation to spend roughly $14 billion over five years on new innovations in robotics.
According to MSNBC, 2011 has been the costliest year for natural disasters in history, reportedly wreaking $265 billion in damages and overbearing the 2005 record of $220 billion worth of global damages. In response, Japanese engineers have been researching robotic aids that can be used to help reduce injuries and damage to individuals and structures in the event of such disasters.
Although Japan is well-known for its experience and knowledge in robotics, the country currently lacks military-grade machines that were able to help individuals during the tsunami. This struck a chord with many of the nation's engineers and inspired them to come up with three robotic devices that will be designed for disastrous events.
The first will be an exoskeleton suit that can be worn by trained rescuers. This device is called the HAL-5 Exoskeleton and is meant to help increase the strength and endurance of its wearer and help them perform more daunting tasks during physically demanding situations. The machine weighs roughly 50 pounds and can handle nearly three hours of continuous activities before its battery needs to be charged, according to Cyberdyne.
Engineers are also developing robots that can rescue people from under rubble, as well as machines that will be able to search for people under water.
The five-year project will begin in April 2012 and be managed by the Ministry of Science and Technology. The Fire and Disaster Management Agency and other local safety authorities will help the designers create products that would assist people during different types of natural disasters, CNET reported.
When these technologies are combined with other robotics, the lives of hundreds of people may be saved.
According to Wired, the U.S. has developed a unmanned helicopter that is specifically designed to bring cargo and supplies to areas that are difficult to access. If similar technologies are utilized in the event of a disaster, people may be able to be saved, or at least have necessary supplies brought to them so they can survive.
