The world of robotics is constantly adapting and changing. In this article I will discuss Toyota’s new, third generation humanoid robot, the T-HR3. It is the type of humanoid robot that can get things done and really help you around the house. One of the coolest things about this new robot is that it can be controlled by a user’s movements. What makes it even greater is that it can perform many of the same functions that humans can, so the T-HR3 makes a great friend!

Toyota claims that they have made this robot product lin with a specific goal in mind to explore new technologies for safely managing physical interactions between robots and their surroundings.

Furthermore, according to Toyota, the T-HR3 is a move away in terms of evolution from previous generation instrument-playing humanoid robots that were created to test the precise positioning of joints and pre-programmed movements.

This new platform is being built with capabilities that can safely assist humans in all sorts of applications. They will be able to perform tasks in homes, medical facilities, construction sites, disaster-stricken areas and even outer space.

News of the T-HR3, which was picked up by The Verge, comes from the auto giant’s home country of Japan. In a press release, the company said that the T-HR3 demonstrates Toyota’s latest robotics platform, and will be used to “explore new technologies for safely managing physical interactions between robots and their surroundings, as well as a new remote maneuvering system that mirrors user movements to the robot.”

This remote system has a lot of useful applications in my opinion. It can follow a user's movements and essentially imitate them. This is a real life robotic avatar folks!

Although Boston Dynamics has the Atlas robot which I also like for its agile ability to climb stairs and do backflips, I tend to prefer this new Toyota model because I've always liked the rounded look of Toyota's recent line of humanoid robots.

Hey, I bet I can do you one better than simply describing this robot and talking about how great it is, why don't you take a second and see for yourself! I think you'll be impressed:

In terms of specs, you’re looking at a 165-pound five-foot-tall “Toyota Robot Partner” that has ten fingers, two feet and a pair of eyes that are a lot more WALL-E than they are skinless Terminator.

So lets get this straight folks, this robot has ten fingers, two feet and a pair of eyes! This is the type of robot you can take home to mom or have watch your kids without completely freaking them out. This is the type of robot we may just see years from now commonly walking down the street or shopping at the supermarket or working in the supermarket.

Who knows what applications people will come up for these humanoid droids. The whole neighborhood is going to be lining up to grab one of these models. Who likes to wash dishes? Who likes doing the laundry? Who likes reading bedtime stories to their kids? Ok, that last question may be pushing it a bit because if I had kids I think I'd really enjoy reading bedtime stories to them but I think you get my point!

T-HR3 is outfitted with a series of Torque Servo Modules (i.e. servomotors or “robot muscles”) that are controlled from the Master Maneuvering System, which has a headset that allows you to see out of T-HR3’s eye cameras. The whole setup looks a bit like Snuffles’ advanced mechanical suit from Rick and Morty — at least from the waist up. Although one of the previous generations of the Toyota humanoid robot, the i-Foot, really looks like something that could frighten Summer in the middle of the night.

Although it may not look like it right now, we are surely living in an age of technological marvel. As the speed of these robotic developments pick up we are certain to see exponential improvements being made in this field. We most certainly will have an opportunity to live in a world in which humans and robotic humanoids work together harmoniously although there is also potential that we may find ourselves at odds with our new robot neighbors and co-workers.

One interesting fact that many people may not know is that Toyota has been developing and engineering robots since the 1980s. They began developing industrial robots to that were specifically designed to aid in manufacturing processes.

Toyota is now leveraging what they've learned creating industrial robots and applying that knowledge towards developing new mobility solutions that support doctors, caregivers and patients, the elderly, and people with disabilities.

It seems there are so many potential applications for robots in areas that humanity can benefit from that this persuit and has potential to solve many of the problems we face in the modern world. With this perspective we should certainly give robotics developers the benefit of the doubt while keeping a watchful eye as many companies will most likely decide to take another route in developing robots and robotic components for the military industrial complex.

What do you guys think of this new Toyota T-HR3 robot? Do you think we are living in an age where these type of robots will co-exist with humans and perform daily tasks that some of us can do but would prefer not to?

Please leave your thoughts and feedback below!

Thanks for reading.

Authored by: Hive account@techblogger
In-text citations source: Toyota’s New Humanoid Robot Looks Like a Friendly Atlas - Nerdist