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01

What is
Haneda Robotics Lab?

To encourage awareness of robotic technology across Japanese society,
and across the world

As we head for 2020, there is a general requirement for the further improvement of services and customer satisfaction throughout Japan. However, Japan faces a declining working population at the same time.

Japan Airport Terminal Co., Ltd. believes the use of robot technology will be essential to overcome the situation. With this in mind, we established “Haneda Robotics Lab” as part of the Japanese government's “Reform 2020” projects, in cooperation with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism as well as the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry. We intend to provide opportunities for robot developers to do user testing, and encourage airport users to feel familiar with the robots. Eventually, we will clarify issues and share our knowledge with others.

Haneda Robotics Lab has developed its projects since 2016, for the purpose of encouraging robotic technology to Japanese society as well as the world.

02

Guidelines

Haneda Airport
Robot Experiment Project 2017

Following last year, Haneda Robotics Lab will start “Haneda Robotics Lab Robot Experiment Project 2017,” in order to accelerate the introduction of robots into Haneda Airport. We will recruit robotic technologies corresponding to the theme of this year, and selectively place in the airport experimentally.

We hope that this project leads a variety of manufacturers and research institutions to conduct a verification of efficiency as well as data collection on their technology in this particular airport environment. After all, we aim to promote the development of more efficient robots.

*In the 2016 project, the initial efficiency of approximately 10 models exhibited was approved. Examination of those verified models will also be proceeded this year, in the form of service operation. For their practical use in the airport, we continue to update and make adjustments to the robots in cooperation with the manufacturers; we aim to eventually introduce these robots in the airport.

Selection result

Haneda Robotics Lab advertised for robot technology specializing in the 3 different fields: security robots, logistics/transportation related robots and translation related robots. After strict, impartial consideration by Haneda Robotics Lab, the following robots have been selected.

Security Robot

Reborg-X／
SOHGO SECURITY SERVICES CO.,LTD.(ALSOK)
Reborg-X is an autonomously patrolling/guiding robot. Not only does it enhance the efficiency of patrol/guide operations, it can also be used as an attraction. So far 9 units have already been introduced across Japan. With safety as a high priority, its automatic stopping system, had no accidents since its release in 2015. Haneda Robotics Lab will test how its patrol/sensory systems are able to work in the airport.

Logistics/Transportation related robot

OTTO 100/1500／
ALTECH,CO.,LTD
OTTO 100/1500 is an autonomous transportation robot with a laser sensor that allows it to move across the facility without markers on the floor. OTTO 100 is able to carry a load of up to 100kg such as cardboard boxes, container boxes and storage boxes. OTTO 1500 has more functions and can carries a load of up to 1500 kg such as a pallet, conveyor and lifter. Haneda Robotics Lab will investigate how effectively this machine works to assist transportation operation.
Relay／
NEC Networks & System Integration Corporation
Relay is an autonomous delivery robot that can carry things from one person to another. It has a variety of sensors on its unit that allows it to avoid people and objects. Even in a crowded area, it selects the most suitable route to its destination and insure that it is done “efficiently” and “securely”. Haneda Robotics Lab will check if Relay can successfully deliver goods to airport passengers. There will be also an investigation to see how customers from different nationalities, genders and ages react/behave toward Relay.
*The developer & manufacturer of delivery robot “Relay” is Savioke Inc (United States).

Translation related robot

cinnamon／
donut robotics Co.Ltd.
Cinnamon is a robot equipped with a camera and an AI the user can enjoy communicate with. It can be controlled remotely via smartphones by the simple press of buttons and even with your voice. Haneda Robotics Lab will collect data regarding its voice recognition efficiency in conversations with customers in multiple languages as well as operator connection tests from remote places.
Hearable Device (PROTOTYPE)／
Dentsu Live Inc.
The Hearable Device is an earphone type prototype device. Besides microphones and speakers, it has a 9-axis motion sensor that can recognize the user’s face position, his posture as well as the operator’s movement at any times. With the collected information done through multiple sensors, its voice recognition system would be able to recognize users. It can also specify their locations live by using its magnetism sensor. In Haneda Robotics Lab, airport officers will be wearing this device. There will be a test verifying if this device can specify the location of each officer at the same time as well as to investigate how it works to assist “hands-free” voice guiding operations.
KIZUNA／
Tifana.com Co., Ltd.
KIZUNA is an AI that answers questions asked by voice or text. A combination of voice recognition, voice synthesis technology, animation and natural language processing enables it to achieve human-like qualities that provides it with human like motions. Its correct answer rate is more than 70%. In Haneda Robotics Lab we will test how well it can perform in the information facilities as well as stores. It should be able to respond in 4 languages: Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean.
Robocot／
Takerobo Corporation / IP Dream Inc.
Robocot is an AI touch-panel communication robot type equipped with a chat-based dialogue screen and able to answer customer’s questions asked both by text and voice. With the use of software connection system, its content can also be easily managed and distributed to other robots via the cloud platform. In this Haneda Robotics Lab investigation, it will be equipped with a “Smart Interpreter Service” application which provide a simultaneous translation. Haneda Robotics Lab will test how this robot works with multiple languages as well as its ability to conduct simultaneous translation.
03

Archives

Outline of open recruitment 2017

From September 27 to October 25, 2017,Haneda Robotics Lab advertised for robot technology as follows.

Application theme

The application theme for 2017 is: security, transportation and translation. Robots usable in any one of these fields are searched for.

Applied robots will be strictly and fairly judged by the Haneda Robotics Lab office. The judgement will see whether the robot of your application can provide customers with security and safety, as well as create a healthy environment for the airport staff. Not only that, whether it can actually be installed in the airport building is also part of the evaluation. Robots which the Haneda Robotics Lab office determine inadequate for this project, including those unfittable in the closed space, having a risk of firing/smoking as well as affecting pacemakers will not be accepted. Those with illegality will also be refused.

* Even robots NOT complying to the theme may also be accepted, given it has all-round feasibility with promising results.

1. Security robot

Those which can be applied for effective and efficient security/security-related works in the Haneda Airport facilities are subject to this category.

In particular, we expect those robots to be able to keep tight airport security by: censoring/warning unidentified objects, detecting/dealing with abnormalities in the facilities, responding to medical crisis, addressing a lost child, undertaking evacuation guidance in case of emergency, extinguishing a fire, patrolling the airport ground and/or assisting any of these operations. Other robots such as autonomously controlled robots, patrolling drones and peripheral equipments to assist security guards are also subject to this public offer. We aim to enhance the efficiency of staff in security as well as workload reduction of security guards.

2. Logistics/Transportation related robot

Those which can be effectively applied for logistics works in the Haneda Airport facilities are subject to this category.

In particular, we expect those robots to be capable of assisting logistics in the airport such as porter-like service, warehouse operations, product inspections, on-site transport operations, conveyance of building materials and other devices to assist these operations. Other robots such as autonomously controlled robots and indoor tractors are also subject to this public offer. We aim to enhance the work efficiency, and reduce the workload of staff in logistics.

3. Translation related robot

Any robotic machines that can work on translation/communication in multiple languages inside Haneda Airport are subject to this category.

In particular, we assume they will work on operations as: multilingual guides, sales tasks, signages and document creations. Other robots such as automated devices responding in multiple languages, translation machines to assist staff, as well as other software systems that work on computer/cell phones are also subject to this public offer. We aim to enhance the work accuracy and workload reduction of airport staff, regarding communication in foreign languages.

Application procedure & condition

For details, please check this file（.zip file）

* Documents are Japanese only.

Robot Experiment Project 2016

Outline of project

Haneda Robotics Lab will be launching the Haneda Airport Robot Experiment Project 2016, aimed at the accelerated implementation of robots at Haneda Airport. The project will recruit robot technologies focusing on specialized areas to be implemented experimentally inside the airport.

Our aim in this project is to allow a variety of businesses and research organizations to perform effective testing and data gathering within our unique airport environment. We hope that this project will help to promote the efficient development of robot technology.

Selection result

Haneda Robotics Lab advertised for robot technology specializing in the 3 different fields: cleaning robots, movement support robots and guide robots. After strict, impartial consideration by Haneda Robotics Lab, the following robots have been selected.

Cleaning robots

F.ROBOCLEAN／
FIGLA CO., LTD.
F.ROBOCLEAN is an autonomously run cleaning robot. With a combination of various sensors, it starts cleaning upon recognizing its surrounding environment. It is helpful especially under conditions where people would find it difficult to clean, for example in dark places. It can clean 300～650㎡ of areas with a standard set up. In Haneda Robotics Lab, we will test the newly added functions which include: big revolving lights and melody system (to make people aware of its presence). There will also be the initial verification to observe whether the robot works properly in public spaces such as where a crowd of airport users come and go in the future.
ROBO Cleaper／
Nakanishi Metal Works Co., Ltd.
TUG is an autonomous delivery robot. The use of high sensing technology allows it to have both high mobility and safety, and move freely across a wide floor. There are 2 types of TUG: the box type and lift type. The box type is used for transportation of medicine and specimen mainly in American hospitals since its lid can be opened and closed with the use of a password, ID and fingerprint authentication. The lift type is used as transportation of school lunch, linen and waste. In Haneda Robotics Lab, TUG will work as an operation tool for airport staff carrying goods to airport stores in public spaces where a crowd of airport users come and go. Upon eyeing other possible uses as a carrying support tool for airport users, the initial verification will also be conducted.
SE-500iXⅡ／
Amano Corporation
SE-500iXⅡ is an autonomous-running robot which can wash floor (with water). As you get the machine to memorize certain motions using your hands, it will enable it to replicate the same operation from the next time automatically. In Haneda Robotics Lab, we will check the efficiency of SE-500iXⅡcomparing it to a machine operated by person, in terms of cleaning areas, time, quality of cleaning and polishing whilst in operation at the airport. The initial verification of the SE-500iXII robots will also be conducted to observe whether the robot works properly and safely in the public space where a crowd of airport users come and go in the future.
Windowmate／
NGP-FOTEC Co., Ltd.
Windowmate is a window cleaning robot consisting of two separate machines that autonomously hold and clean a window. Both of the two component machines have 4 permanent magnets (neodymium magnets) built-in, and thus never falls even when their power is run out. In Haneda Robotics Lab, there will first be a test to see whether the robot works safely and efficiently when cleaning glass surfaces of indoor spaces in the terminal building. As its safety inside the building is fully verified, another observation will be conducted to see if it is adaptable to outer surfaces of the building as well as high places. In future, there may be the day robots replace people in part of dangerous works including those in high places.

Transportation robots

CarriRo／
ZMP Inc.
CarriRo is a platform-cart shaped logistics support robot which has two incorporated modes: driving mode and tracking mode. In the driving mode, it reduces the load on workers. In the tracking mode, it automatically tracks its operator. In Haneda Robotics Lab, we will examine its value as an operation tool for airport staff in various services including the carrying of goods to airport stores. Upon eyeing other possible uses as a carrying support tool for airport users, the initial verification will also be conducted.
INMOTION R1EX／
A.M.Y.Creative Co., Ltd.
INMOTION R1EX is a personal mobility which has an autonomous balance control system that allows it to recognize the user’s movement exactly and keep their balance always. In the case of abnormal operation, the latest monitoring software allows the machine to decrease the speed gradually to stop. Its impact sensor also helps the machine stop automatically when detecting a certain level of impact on it. In Haneda Robotics Lab, there will be observation to see if the machine is safe enough for its surrounding environment while in operation in the public space where a crowd of airport users come and go. Other possible uses would also be found. Haneda Robotics Lab aims to provide it as a safe, convenient tool for airport users in the future.
TUG／
TAKUMI Co., Ltd.
TUG is an autonomous delivery robot. The use of high sensing technology allows it to have both high mobility and safety, and move freely across a wide floor. There are 2 types of TUG: the box type and lift type. The box type is used for transportation of medicine and specimen mainly in American hospitals since its lid can be opened and closed with the use of a password, ID and fingerprint authentication. The lift type is used as transportation of school lunch, linen and waste. In Haneda Robotics Lab, TUG will work as an operation tool for airport staff carrying goods to airport stores in public spaces where a crowd of airport users come and go. Upon eyeing other possible uses as a carrying support tool for airport users, the initial verification will also be conducted.
UNI-CUBβ／
Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
UNI-CUBβ is a personal mobility assistant robot. It allows you to move in various directions and positions freely as would people normally walk, just as you move your center of gravity bending the body. It is secure since it is a sitting ride that enables you to use your hands freely and have your feet touch the ground for your safety. It is also compact and is of shoulder width which makes it ideal for operation even amongst heavy crowds. In Haneda Robotics Lab, we will examine whether the robot is safe enough as an operation tool for airport staff as well as a transport method for airport users. There will also be observation of the robot to find other potential uses for it.
WHILL NEXT／
WHILL, Inc.
WHILL NEXT is a product that an automatic stop function is newly added on WHILL Model A: a personal mobility which has several features such as omnidirectional front wheels, remote control system and electronic lock in addition to its prominent designability. In Haneda Robotics Lab, there will be a verification not only to confirm the machine is safe enough for its surrounding environment while in operation, but find other possible uses. The initial verification will also be conducted with the aim of providing it as a safe, convenient tool for airport users in the future.

Information robots

Airport Concierge CAIBA／
INDY ASSOCIATES CO., LTD.
CAIBA is a remotely-controlled robot connected via the Internet. The machine traces the operator’s motion behaving just as we would expect. In Haneda Robotics Lab, we will examine if CAIBA itself can perform its jobs accurately as a guide for customers. This value verification would lead us to create a new environment where various kinds of staff including (but not limited to) staff working from home, elderly and/or, disabled staff and so on can continue their work in a wide range. We will also examine improvement of customer satisfaction thanks to the increase in staff’s skills as a result of longer involvement in their work.
Double2／
BRULE Inc.
Double2 is a telepresence robot that the user can make a video call via the Internet while controlling the machine freely from remote locations. Different from conventional videophones, telepresence allows the user to feel as if the other party is around (projection of a presence). In Haneda Robotics Lab, there will be the initial verification to monitor whether Double2 can guide customers to their destination accurately in the public space where a crowd of airport users come and go. This value verification would contribute to creating a new environment where various kinds of staff including (but not limited to) staff working from home, elderly and/or, disabled staff and so on can continue their work in a wide range. At the same time, Haneda Robotics Lab also aims to improve customer satisfaction with the increase in staff’s skills as a result of longer involvement in their work.
EMIEW3／
Hitachi, Ltd./Hitachi Building Systems Co., Ltd.
EMIEW3 is a humanoid robot which provides customer service and guidance. By itself, it approaches to help those customers who need assistance in public spaces and commercial facilities. In Haneda Robotics Lab, EMIEW3 will handle provision of information about stores and facilities, with the use of multilingual function as one of its features. We will conduct an experiment for improvement of the service quality as well as optimization of guidance procedures.
MINARAI／
Nextremer Co., Ltd.
MINARAI is an AI-driven advanced dialogue system which is adaptable to various devices such as a robot, digital signage and tablet. Its concept is “cooperation between people and AI." MINARAI enables AI to replace with an operator when it has a problem continuing a conversation. In Haneda Robotics Lab, MINARAI will assist airport users showing directions with the use of sounds/images. If it is demonstrated that its voice recognition works accurately in the public space where a crowd of airport users come and go, there will be another verification to test joint operations of people and AI through remote video responses.
Pepper／
SoftBank Robotics Corp.
Pepper is a personal robot which autonomously makes movements based on data perceived by its sensor. Its interactive communication skills allow it to provide rich service for customers. In Haneda Robotics Lab, Pepper will work as an attendant using 3 different languages: Japanese, English and Chinese. If it performs its basic operations accurately in the public space where a crowd of airport users come and go, there would be a verification of new service: staff’s remote responses via Pepper to those inquiries that it cannot handle by itself for example.
SQ-1H／
SEQSENSE Co., Ltd.
SQ-1H is a security robot which is equipped with a special laser sensor (patent pending) as well as advanced artificial intelligence. Regardless of the time of day or night, the machine recognizes its surrounding environment (including lost property/unidentified objects) with the use of high sensing technology. SQ-1H also does not intimidate children and elderly people because of its adorable appearance. It would rather be integrated into people’s daily life even while in operation. In Haneda Robotics Lab, SQ-1H will guide customers around the airport. If it performs its basic operations accurately in the public space where a crowd of airport users come and go, the initial verification of SQ-1H’s AR (Augmented Reality) system would also be conducted for the realization of more effective guides.
Reborg-X／
Sohgo Security Services Co., Ltd.
Reborg-X is an autonomously run security/guide robot. It is highly valued since the machine promotes the efficiency of guides as well as security though it does not require specialized staff to station for its operation. It has been introduced into 9 locations (including a theme park where it is used as part of an amusement attraction) throughout Japan so far. The machine is designed with safety as a top priority; when it approaches to people/obstacles, its automatic stop function works. Reborg-X keeps its no-accident record since its launching in 2015. In Haneda Robotics Lab, there will be a verification to confirm whether its autonomous running is safe enough in the public space where a crowd of airport users come and go. It will also be monitored how often the robot is used by airport users for its on-screen/audio assistance. In the future, it would be used as a robot which can guide and protect the user at the same time in public spaces such as airports.
RoBoHoN／
Sharp Corporation
RoBoHon is a world-first portable mobile phone robot. In Haneda Robotics Lab, this robot phone will be in charge of guiding in the airport. It will answer questions asked in speech by users of Haneda Airport with the use of body language and images. In this experiment, we will examine how much it can recognize a speaking voice and announcements in the airport with background noise, as well as whether it can understand and respond to customers’ questions properly/accurately.

Exhibition booth

Panel exhibition of the robots selected in “Robot Experiment Project 2016” is held near the clock tower 6 at Haneda Airport Terminal 2. (Closed)

 

 

 

 

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Haneda Robotics Lab
Contact Us


Japan Airport Terminal Co.,Ltd.

Address: Passenger Terminal Building 1,
3-3-2 Haneda Airport, Ohta-ku, Tokyo, Japan 〒144-0041

Haneda Robotics Lab

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